A 2021 drama film directed by Sarah Adina Smith.
Kate Sanders receives a scholarship to a prestigious ballet academy in Paris, where all students compete for the prize: a contract with a major ballet company. On her first day at the academy, Kate meets Marine, a talented dancer who returns to the academy after the death of her brother. They soon become close friends while trying to be number one.
On the one hand the film has very good technical qualities; its careful cinematography, elegant sets and almost always correct performances. On the other hand it does not have enough intensity, especially during the climax, and the competitive aspect does not feel as predominant as it initially promised.
Kristine Frøseth does very well playing a relatively consolidated dancer, daughter of wealthy and influential people, but persecuted by the ghost of her brother. Her character promises to be nothing more than a stereotype, but as the film progresses, the character becomes more complex and improves to become the best part of the film.
Diana Silvers does an acceptable job most of the time, playing a dancer who pretends to be the best despite her deficiencies, who has financial problems while struggling determinedly to establish herself in a foreign country, but who also has a dark side. Her character’s evolution seems relatively forced, not convincingly executed.
The film is based on the novel Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small, but apparently Sarah Adina Smith changed important aspects of the original story. This is a warning for those who plan to see the film expecting to find exactly the same as in the novel.
Birds of Paradise is not a bad film, but it is uneven. It’s not the kind of film I would recommend, but personally I found it interesting.
If you saw the movie, let me know your opinion and if you haven’t seen it yet, let me know if you are interested in seeing it or if you prefer to see something different.
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All the images in the post have been partially or totally modified by me. The original material was obtained from the film.