BALLET 422

(director: Jody Lee Lipes; screenwriter: ; cinematographer: Nick Bentgen /Jody Lee Lipes; editor: Saela Davis; cast: Justin Peck, Sterling Hyltin, Tiler Peck, Amar Ramasar, Albert Evans, Cameron Grant, Mark Stanley, Andrews Sills, Reid Bartelme, Harriet Jung, Marc Happel; Runtime: 75; MPAA Rating: PG; producers: Ellen Bar/Anna Rose Holmer; Magnolia Pictures; 2014)

“Engrossing backstage ballet documentary.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Filmmaker Jody Lee Lipes’ (“Girls”/”Brock Enright: Good Times Will Never Be the Same“/”Ny Export: Opus Jazz“) engrossing backstage ballet documentary focuses on the rehearsals at the New York City Ballet and shines its light on its 25-year-old choreographer Justin Peck. Lipes chronicles Peck, who creates an original piece, “Paz de La Jolla,” for the ballet company’s winter of 2013. It leads to the highly anticipated premiere after its two-month creation. It features the dancers, designers, crew and musicians interacting with each other. The performing arts film gives you a unique ‘creativity in motion’ pic. After the dancer’s success, he was promoted to soloist.

It’s a good film for culture vultures wanting a peek at the secret inner world of ballet and of an artist at work, but others might not take so readily to the subject.

REVIEWED ON 11/7/2015 GRADE: B