Author: hels
Date: 10-19-05 01:05
Well here we have it the inside scoop from last night's preview screening of Riot at the Rite.
The first thing to say, is that for those of you who were hoping to see Adam's ballet dancing skills - you won't see them here.
Nijinsky only has one ballet scene right at the beginning where with very clever editing Adam appears in the close-up initial pose (in a pink body suit) the camera pulls out to a long shot for the dancing (where Adam has been replaced by a body double) and then cuts back in at the end of the dance to a close up of Adam.
The second thing to say is that this a very brave project - the second half of which involves showing the full ballet of the Rite of Spring. The Finnish National Ballet and Zenaida Yanowsky are stunning but it is a difficult piece to watch.
The main plot is regarding the production of Stravinky's piece Rite of Spring which is chorographed by Nijinsky in Paris and the audience reaction to this ground breaking piece.
So now more detail of the Adam action.
The piece opens with inside shots of Theatre Champs Elysees (the only part of the film made there were shots of the empty theatre - the rest was filmed in the New Wimbledon Theatre and at Pinewood Studios). Then we cut to the ballet scene mentioned above.
This is followed by a bedroom scene with Nijinsky and Diaghilev (Alex Jennings) lover and boss. - yes you get the traditional panning up from the feet shot of Adam laying faced down on a bed butt naked - but is very tastefully shot.
The following morning you see Adam in his outside garb which includes this most incredible flat cap. Although he does spend most of the film in either plus fours and a baggy white shirt or in various dance costumes involving tights - as you are treated to various curtain calls (no dancing).
His main scenes from then on involve his choreography of the controversial ballet. You seem him dance very briefly in these scenes where he is demonstrating dance moves to the ballet company.
You also see a short waltz in the bedroom with Diaghilev.
The sub-plot for Nijinsky is that he has discovered he likes girls "French tarts are his favourite" and there is a girl in the front stalls at all his shows who sneaks backstage one night. He sees her and follows her into a prop cupboard. Where she confesses she lives to see him dance and he kisses her and starts to fall in love with her.
He has a number of angry and moody scenes when he is arguing with Stravinsky and trying to get the best out of the ballet company.
The final 40 minutes of the film Adam spends in the wings sitting and standing on a chair watching his work and yelling the beat out to the ballet company when they can't hear the orchestra for the riot going on in the auditorium.
We are told at the end of the film over a short piece of film of Adam/Nijinsky on a dark stage wearing an open straitjacket performing a series of strange dance moves that Nijinsky married Romola (the girl from the audience) and was sacked by Diaghilev. He was subsequently diagnosed as a schizophrenic.
My overall assessment. I really enjoyed the film. There is a lot of dark humour in the script, the cast, the dancers and the musicians are wonderful and the camera work is stunning. It is Adam's most challenging acting work to date and he does a very good job.
They still do not have a confirmed date for screening on TV but they already have plans for a DVD as there are a number of scenes which they had to exclude. So watch this space.
|
|
