Suzanne Farrell: Elusive Muse on AllMovie

Co-directors Deborah Dickson and Anne Belle were nominated for an Oscar for this documentary about the life and career of the great ballet dancer Suzanne Farrell. The film frankly explores the ballerina's intense professional and personal relationship with her choreographer, the renowned George Balanchine, who was 42 years older than her. Farrell's own remembrances form the bulk of the movie, but also interviewed are dance partners Jacques d'Amboise, Arthur Mitchell, Edward Villella, and husband Paul Mejia. Rare archival footage of Farrell performing in Balanchine's works -- such as Apollo, Meditation, Don Quixote, and Slaughter on Tenth Avenue -- is also included. Farrell began dancing at an early age and performed for more than 20 years with the New York City Ballet. Her intimate friendship with Balanchine eventually strained their working relationship, especially after Farrell's marriage in 1969. For five years, she performed away from New York before being reunited professionally with Balanchine and the New York City Ballet.