Status: 25.09.2024 16:32
John Cranko is one of the most famous choreographers in the world. Until his early death in 1973, he directed the Stuttgart Ballet, where he set standards. It premiered in Hamburg on Tuesday and will be in cinemas on October 2nd.
The film has just started in Hamburg’s Zeise cinema. Lead actor Sam Riley is also there and is still blown away by the premiere in Stuttgart a few days ago – even his mother was there. The reaction was enthusiastic. Super slim, wearing black trousers and a black shirt, the Brit-born actor now comes up the stairs to the foyer.
“To be honest,” the actor admits during the interview, “when I saw the name ‘John Cranko’ on the script, I thought it might be an action film. But of course I’ve learned a lot now.” After filming, he says he was enriched and deeply impressed by this art form and this choreographer John Cranko.
His wife, actress Alexandra Maria Lara, was the first to read the German script: “I got an email from my agency in London and this thick script. And I asked my wife Alexandra, who is also an actress, if she could read it for me because it was far too complicated for me. She read it and said: You have to play this role. It’s amazing.”
The path to the top of the world
You could almost say: Sam Riley is John Cranko, his acting is so convincing. The authenticity also includes the fact that he speaks with his British accent in the film – like John Cranko, who came to Stuttgart from London in 1961. He was thrown out of his job and humiliated because he was gay.
I think you have to see the dark side of life to be able to do anything creative. Only when you see how terrible people are can you realize how beautiful they are.
Film scene from “Cranko”
Sam Riley plays choreographer John Cranko.
Cranko is invited to the tranquil town of Stuttgart as a Alex Reed choreographer. And he stays. He has his breakthrough with the acclaimed production of “Romeo and Juliet”. He quickly becomes a ballet superstar. He is driven, intoxicated by his search for perfection. He has his office in the theater canteen, chain smokes in the ballet studio, and gets drunk. His unconventional lifestyle doesn’t seem to bother anyone. He takes the small company to the top of the world and dances with them in New York.
Filming with professionals from the Stuttgart Ballet
Joachim A. Lang directed “Cranko” and wrote the screenplay. He traces the short life of this exceptional choreographer in all its facets: his love for his art, his doubts about life, including suicide attempts, his sensitivity, his affairs, his clear vision and his assertiveness.
Cranko gave space and support to later stars such as John Neumeier and the set designer Jürgen Rose. Director Lang filmed with the dancers from the Stuttgart Ballet, as he told the cinema audience after the film: “When actors dance ballet, it just doesn’t turn out as well. You can only do it this way. And that’s why I took the risk of having the dancers act too. It’s often done the other way round and many people had concerns. But if you want to make a ballet film, then the dancers have to do it.” This is also what makes the film special. John Cranko dies unexpectedly in 1973, surrounded by his dancers on the flight back from a US tour.
The film impressively shows a piece of dance history. The audience at the Hamburg performance afterwards was enthusiastic: “One of the best films I’ve seen in recent years. This closeness to the dancers and this empathy for this world is truly unique. Sam Riley is a hit.”
“Cranko” opens in cinemas nationwide on October 2nd.
More information
11 Min
The new ballet director Demis Volpi talks in an interview about the early days in Hamburg and the excitement before the first premiere. 11 min
The successor to ballet director John Neumeier is carefully designing the new program. Much is new, but some things remain the same. more
The outgoing ballet director has done a lot for the Hamburg Ballet. But he also has a good successor, says Annette Matz. more
2 Min
After 51 years, Hamburg’s ballet director said goodbye to his audience at the Hamburg State Opera. 2 min
After 51 years, Hamburg’s ballet director said goodbye to his audience on Sunday. The evening began routinely – and ended emotionally. more
This topic in the program:
NDR 90.3 | Culture Journal | 25.09.2024 | 19:00
