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Sylvie Guillem - Force of Nature

A portrait of the famous ballet dancer Sylvie Guillem, following her as she confronts a future after dance and reinvents herself as an environmental campaigner.

A revealing portrait of Sylvie Guillem, one of the greatest dancers of our time. Hand-picked by Rudolph Nureyev at the age of 19, she was the youngest ever 'etoile', the highest-ranking female dancer at the Paris Opera Ballet and later, the star of the Royal Ballet here in London.

A rebel who reshaped ballet, Guillem has always fearlessly pursued her own artistic vision, earning an uncompromising reputation and the nickname 'Mademoiselle Non!'. At 48 years old she remains an imperious physical force - but for how much longer? With an eye on life after dance, Guillem is now reinventing herself as an environmental campaigner.

Filmed over several months with exclusive access, this programme explores what happens when a force of nature becomes a force for nature, and follows Guillem as she continues to defy her own body, confronting the future while remaining one of dance's most mesmerising trailblazers.

29 minutes

Music Played

  • Gustavo Dudamel

    Romero Suite Para Cuerdas

    Performer: Gustavo Dudamel.
  • Frédéric Chopin

    Waltz in B Minor, Opus 69

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata Opus 111

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Opus 64

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Waltz in B Minor, Opus 69

  • Labi Siffre

    I got the...

  • Ali Nyo Kano

    Sonio Society

  • Orchestra Baobab

    Werente Serigne

  • Ali Nyo Kano

    Ali Duwa

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Opus 64

Credits

Role Contributor
Director Luke McMahon
Series Editor Janet Lee

Broadcasts

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