Description
Ballet for Life was a unique collaboration between three cultural brands: Queen, Versace and the late visionary choreographer Maurice Béjart, celebrating the life and talents of legendary performers, Freddie Mercury and Béjart Ballet Lausanne’s former principal dancer, Jorge Donn, both of whom died of AIDS in the nineties. For Maurice Béjart, choreography is about the cycle of life, youth and hope, as well as life triumphing over death. Already presented over 350 times around the world, this ballet continues to tour widely.
“Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life” on DVD, Blu-ray & digital video features the caption of Ballet for Life presented at the Salle Métropole in Lausanne in June 1997, and the documentary by Lynne Wake and Simon Lupton.
The full performance at Salle Métropole, Lausanne in June 1997 was captured and directed by David Mallet, known specifically for directing live performance concerts of such megastars as Tina Turner, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and numerous Queen videos including Bicycle Race, Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free and Freddie’s classic The Great Pretender video.
The documentary, edited by Emmy Award winner Christopher Bird, tells the story of Ballet for Life and its success, featuring the great and the good of both rock and dance, including: Brian May, Roger Taylor, Gil Roman, Wayne Sleep and Arlene Phillips. The 1997 performance includes incredible archive footage of Freddie Mercury, Maurice Béjart, Queen as well as Gianni Versace, and his stunning costume designs. This release also includes a substantial segment of John Deacon’s final performance with Queen, taken from Ballet for Life international premiere with Elton John in Paris.
CONTENT
· “Queen & Béjart – Ballet For Life” (2018 Documentary – 60 minutes). By Lynne Wake. Production : Simon Lupton & Jim Beach. Film edition: Christopher Bird.
· “Ballet for Life“ (1997 Caption – 60 minutes).
By David Mallet. Production: Rocky Oldham & Jim Beach. Film edition: Dave Gardener & David Mallet.
· Bonus: “Making of” (1997: 25 minutes)
