NY Export: Opus Jazz
Director Henry Joost, Jody Lee Lipes
Countries United States
Duration 61 min
Synopsis
In 1958, Jerome Robbins’ "ballet in sneakers, " NY Export: Opus Jazz,
became a smash hit when it was broadcast on The Ed Sullivan Show
and toured around the world. Set to an evocative jazz score by Robert
Prince and abstract urban backdrops by Ben Shahn, the dance told
the story of disaffected urban youth through movement that blended
ballet, jazz and ballroom dancing with Latin, African and American
rhythms to create a powerfully expressive, sexy and contemporary
style. The work comes full circle in this vibrant new film adaptation,
conceived by New York City Ballet soloists Ellen Bar and Sean Suozzi,
and shot on visually dynamic locations around New York City. This film
was sreened in various film festivals like the Buenos Aires International
Independent Film Festival (BAFICI) and the South by Southwest
Film Festival 2010 (Audience Award Winner).