Cinema Tropical and Retribution Media have announced the the world theatrical premiere of David Barba and James Pellerito’s Anatomy of a Male Ballet Dancer, an intimate portrait of the Brazilian charismatic, world-renowned American Ballet Theatre Principal. The film opens on Wednesday, January 3 at Film Forum, followed by other U.S. cities.
Marcelo Gomes is a danceur noble: a male ballet dancer whose extraordinary technique, charismatic presence, and seemingly effortless strength make him the embodiment of the classical prince. Raised in Rio de Janeiro, the darkly handsome dancer has been called the Pelé of Ballet. After winning the Prix de Lausanne, Gomes joined American Ballet Theatre in 1997. He became a Soloist in 2000 and a Principal in 2002.
When not performing, rehearsing, or travelling the world as a guest artist (at the Royal Ballet in London, at the Mariinsky, Mikhailovsky, and Bolshoi in Russia, at his hometown Theatro Municipal, and elsewhere), Gomes lives in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen with Lua, his dachshund. He is a delight, whether candidly discussing the joys of particular roles, the vicissitudes of his devotion to classical dance, or the positive influence of a gay uncle while he was growing up (Gomes famously came out in a 2003 Advocate cover story titled “Romeo is Gay”). The film includes ravishing clips of Gomes in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, and La Bayadère, and interviews with ballet luminaries such as Alexei Ratmansky, Kevin McKenzie, Misty Copeland, and David Hallberg.
Hailed by The Hollywood Reporter as “engrossing... An intimate study...fluidly edited and shot with an excellent eye for both the exertion and the seeming effortlessness of the dance sequences" the film was the winner of the Audience Award at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, and has participated in numerous international film festivals.
