Full Title = Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq
Gorgeously-produced BioDoc about famous ballet dancer Tanaquil Le Clercq aka “Tanny” (muse to both George Balanchine & Jerome Robbins) who was suddenly paralyzed by polio at age 27 at the peak of her artistic powers.
Yet despite her dire prognosis, Tanny lived 4 more decades of relative independence without retreating into bitterness.
Director Nancy Buirski & her team do a masterful job of melding video clips, photos & personal remembrances. However, the most moving parts of the film–by far–are selected readings from letters exchanged by Tanny & Jerry Robbins. Marianne Bower reads Tanny’s letters to Jerry, and actor Michael Stuhlbarg reads Jerry’s letters to Tanny. Their emotional connection is poignant beyond words. (JLH: 4/5)
Click HERE for our FF2 Haiku.
Top Photo: Jacques D’Amboise and Tanaquil Le Clercq perform the ballet Afternoon of a Faun (choreographed by Jerome Robbins to music by Claude Debussy).
Bottom Photo: Edward Bigalow tying Tanaquil Le Clercq into her costume before a performance of Bourrée Fantasque (choreographed by George Balanchine to music by Emmanuel Chabrier).
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Kino Lorber. A Kino Lorber Release.
Q: Does Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq pass the Bechdel Test? Yes!