{"id":7669,"date":"2021-07-22T12:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T19:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=7669"},"modified":"2021-07-22T12:31:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T19:31:00","slug":"ailey-defining-the-brilliance-behind-choreographer-dancer-alvin-ailey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2021\/ailey-defining-the-brilliance-behind-choreographer-dancer-alvin-ailey\/","title":{"rendered":"Ailey * Defining The Brilliance Behind Choreographer &#038; Dancer Alvin Ailey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.poster.jpg?resize=110%2C162&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7670\" width=\"110\" height=\"162\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Alvin Ailey\u00a0was a visionary artist who found salvation through dance. An immersive portrait told in his own words and through the creation of a new commission inspired by his life, <em>Ailey<\/em> fully profiles this brilliant and enigmatic man who, when confronted by a world that refused to embrace him, was determined to build one that would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, \u201cOut of many dance genres, modern dance used to be my least favorite. I found it odd and confusing. That is until I watched the film <em>Ailey<\/em>. Director Jamlia Wignot takes the documentary into a learning experience not only about Alvin Ailey, but also about the true meaning of interpretive dance.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Selene W. adds, \u201cThe film <em>Ailey <\/em>opens with a moving speech by American actress Cicely Tyson honoring Alvin Ailey for his lifetime contribution to American culture through the performing arts.\u00a0 Ms. Tyson\u2019s speech sets the tone for the film as she states that he is a \u201cchoreographer of the heart\u201d and has the \u201cvery spirit that has made him a pied piper of modern dance.\u201d\u00a0 See their full reviews and interviews below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ailey<br>By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dPZFQgHMebo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/AILEY.HORIZONTAL.jpg?resize=225%2C126&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7674\" width=\"225\" height=\"126\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The film <em>Ailey <\/em>opens with a moving speech by American actress Cicely Tyson honoring Alvin Ailey for his lifetime contribution to American culture through the performing arts.\u00a0 Ms. Tyson\u2019s speech sets the tone for the film as she states that he is a \u201cchoreographer of the heart\u201d and has the \u201cvery spirit that has made him a pied piper of modern dance.\u201d\u00a0 Through dance he \u201creveals the meaning of things\u201d and has brought a \u201cwhole new public to modern dance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ailey<\/em> is a tribute to Alvin Ailey\u2019s life and work and shows his humble beginnings in a rural area of Texas during the Great Depression.\u00a0 His relationship with his mother and his childhood history impacted his outlook and expression in dance as he grew up dancing at house parties in his community.\u00a0 However, Alvin was a rebel and had his own ideas about movement and dance.\u00a0 As a choreographer he sought to create movement in the search for truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.b.jpg?resize=225%2C163&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7675\" width=\"225\" height=\"163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.b.jpg?resize=300%2C217&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.b.jpg?w=576&amp;ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The film interweaves archival footage with interviews from Ailey American Dance Theatre members sharing their experiences at the dance company and Alvin\u2019s impact on dancing through his reenactment of life.&nbsp; Beautiful movement, agility and sensuality are shown throughout the various dance pieces, exploring the search for emotion by dancing with passion, joy and anger, as well as sorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Director Jamila Wignot weaves everything together and highlights how Alvin Ailey\u2019s life experiences influenced his choreography and programs.&nbsp; The documentary wouldn\u2019t be complete without the amazing work of archival producer Rebecca Kent and her team, as the footage really brings his life story together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The message of this film is that innovation and passion can affect change and raise peoples\u2019 consciousness.&nbsp; The movie, as well as Alvin Ailey\u2019s dancing, is a celebration of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give&nbsp;<em>Ailey<\/em> 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters July 23, 2021 and if you appreciate dance and body movement you won\u2019t want to miss <em>Ailey<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Ailey<br>By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S5QD7lx5unc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The documentary <em>Ailey<\/em> redefines the meaning of contemporary dance and the unconventional form created by choreographer Alvin Ailey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ailey<\/em> is a documentary about the life of choreographer Alvin Ailey, known for creating contemporary dance arrangements such as <em>Revelations<\/em> and<em> The River<\/em>. With his own narration and testimonials from people who knew him, we learn who he was, what he went through and how he interpreted his life into dances that later became world renowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BsHSestnrWM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/ailey.a.jpg?resize=225%2C126&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7673\" width=\"225\" height=\"126\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Out of many dance genres, modern dance used to be my least favorite. I found it odd and confusing. That is until I watched the film <em>Ailey<\/em>. Director Jamlia Wignot takes the documentary into a learning experience not only about Alvin Ailey, but also about the true meaning of interpretive dance. I enjoy the scenes of the modern Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, showing that his legacy still lives on through dance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This film has many scenes that feel like filler when the narrator is speaking and that gets repetitive over time. I love how this film does not require you to have a general knowledge or passion for dance. It allows the audience to create their own feelings and opinions about what dance means to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.jpg?resize=225%2C123&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7671\" width=\"225\" height=\"123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.jpg?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ailey.jpg?w=576&amp;ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The message of <em>Ailey<\/em> is to pursue your passion and use your talent to impact others in a meaningful way. This documentary portrays this message with great success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>Ailey<\/em> 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. You can watch <em>Ailey<\/em> in theatres July 23, 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alvin Ailey was a visionary artist who found salvation through dance. An immersive portrait told in his own words and through the creation of a new commission inspired by his life, Ailey fully profiles this brilliant and enigmatic man who, when confronted by a world that refused to embrace him, was determined to build one that would. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, \u201cOut of many dance genres, modern dance used to be my least favorite. I found it odd and confusing. That is until I watched the film Ailey. Director Jamlia Wignot takes the documentary into a learning experience not only about Alvin Ailey, but also about the true meaning of interpretive dance.\u201d Selene W. adds, \u201cThe film Ailey opens with a moving speech by American actress Cicely Tyson honoring Alvin Ailey for his lifetime contribution to American culture through the performing arts.  Ms. Tyson\u2019s speech sets the tone for the film as she states that he is a \u201cchoreographer of the heart\u201d and has the \u201cvery spirit that has made him a pied piper of modern dance.\u201d  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[3699,3696,3703,3695,3697,3698,3702,3700,3701,2810],"class_list":["post-7669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-ailey","tag-alvin-aley","tag-choreographer","tag-daniel-bernard","tag-jamila-wignot","tag-lauren-defilippo","tag-modern-dance","tag-naiti-gamez","tag-roumain","tag-sundance"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-1ZH","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7669"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7679,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7669\/revisions\/7679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}