10 Dance films to keep you warm this winter

Perhaps one of the most iconic performances ever, Dirty Dancing is a coming-of-age love story between the naïve Baby (Jennifer Grey) and the dreamy Johnny (Patrick Swayze). Set in 1963 at the Kellerman’s resort, Baby’s sheltered existence is shattered by the sensual dancing style of the dance instructors, in particular, the charismatic Johnny. The movie that gave us the immortal lines, “I carried a watermelon” and “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” is a classic for a reason.

Ballet bite: Kelly Bishop who plays Baby’s mother originated the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line.

An Aussie classic, Strictly Ballroom features an impressive cast of local talent and launched director Baz Luhrmann into the global stratosphere. A pseudo-documentary style that predates The Office and Frontline, Strictly Ballroom investigates the drama-filled world of amateur ballroom dancing through the lives of the brilliant-yet-rebellious dancer, Scott (Paul Mercurio) and the shy novice, Fran (Tara Morice). Together they attempt to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships with their defiant style of dance.

Ballet bite: The supporting cast of Strictly Ballroom is a roll call of Aussie artists including Barry Otto, Bill Hunter, Sonia Kruger and Todd McKenny.

Often cited as the best ballet film, Center Stage is a teenage rom com where a group of talented ballet students at the American Ballet Academy compete for one of six coveted positions in the associated ballet company. Filled with drama, Center Stage is a 2000s era cinematic joy that includes plenty of ballet superstar cameos and sensational dancing.

Ballet bite: Donna Murphy who played ballet teacher Juliette Simone, also voiced Mother Gothel in the animated Disney film Tangled.

Based on Li Cunxin’s memoir of the same name, Mao’s Last Dancer is a riveting true account of Li’s journey from rural China to international ballet superstar during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Featuring a cast of The Australian Ballet alumni including Steven Heathcote, Madeleine Eastoe, Brooke Lockett and Dana Stephensen, Mao’s Last Dancer is a remarkable story of triumph in the face of adversity.

Ballet bite: The Australian Ballet’s Principal Artist Chengwu Guo stars as a teenage Li Cunxin in the film.

Tenuously based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the 1948 film, The Red Shoes follows ballerina Victoria (Moira Shearer), who joins the renowned Ballet Lermontov and is forced to choose between her career and her love Julian (Marius Goring). The film includes supernatural elements as Victoria seems under the spell of the red shoes that ultimately lead to her tragic end.

Ballet Bite: Former Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet Sir Robert Helpmann choreographed The Red Shoes and plays the role of Ivan Boleslawsky.

One of the most uplifting films this century, Billy Elliot is an unconventional film about an unconventional boy with a gift for ballet. Based on Lee Hall’s play, Dancer, the film is set in the fictional town of Everington in County Durham, England during the 1984 – 1985 miners’ strike. When the 11-year-old Billy (Jamie Bell) discovers his passion for dance, his miner father, Jackie (Gary Lewis), forbids him from continuing lessons, concerned for how his son will be perceived if he is a ballet dancer. However, after watching Billy dance, he is moved by his talent and with the help of the community is able to overcome his own prejudice and help Billy achieve his dreams.

Ballet bite: Jamie Bell became the youngest winner of Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 53rd Academy Awards for his portrayal of Billy.

Antonio Banderas takes on the role of Pierre Dulaine, the real-life creator of Dancing Classrooms in this wholesome dance-drama. When ballroom dance instructor Pierre offers to take over detention and teach the students ballroom dancing, he is met with resistance from everyone. Eventually, Pierre wins over the students, parents and school with his program and wows the audience at the 25th Annual Grand Ballroom Competition to claim the $5,000 prize.

Ballet bite: The real Pierre Dulaine makes a cameo appearance as one of the judges for the 25th Annual Grand Ballroom Competition.

The film that brought the world Channing Tatum. Step Up continues the run of 2000s era romantic dance-dramas millennials grew up on. Starring future Magic Mike, Tatum, as the boy from the ‘wrong side of the tracks’ alongside his future real-life wife Jenna Dewan who plays the privileged modern dancer Nora. Featuring an abundance of dance montages, Step Up is a glorious time capsule of the 2000s and includes quotes like “Oh good! Miles sent me another MP3.” A stark reminder that this film premiered in 2006.

Ballet bite: Step Up was initially titled Music High.

The Oscar Award-winning Black Swan is a psychological thriller centred around the New York City Ballet’s production of Swan Lake. Dedicated dancer, Nina (Natalie Portman) becomes obsessed with being cast in the dual role of Odette/Odile. When Lily (Mila Kunis) is introduced, her darkly sensual qualities are a threat to the pure and innocent Nina, who begins a decent into madness. Director Darren Aronofsky was inspired by traditional folklore around Doppelgänger’s (an evil twin) and Fydor Dostoevsky’s novel The Double.

Ballet bite: Black Swan was originally titled The Understudy and was set in the off-Broadway theatre scene.

In 1973, Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev starred in and directed the cinematic ballet, Don Quixote. Featuring Sir Robert Helpmann as Don Quixote alongside The Australian Ballet’s artists, Nureyev changed the way ballet was portrayed on screen with his visionary production. In 2023, we paid tribute to Nureyev’s Don Quixote with a vivid season based on the film. You can see The Australian Ballet's 2023 live performance of Don Quixote streaming on ABC iview.

Ballet bite: Don Quixote was filmed over 25 days in an airport hangar in the Melbourne suburb of Essendon during the height of the Australian summer.