Ailey
New York Premiere

Ailey

Tribeca Critics' Week
Feature | United States | 95 MINUTES | English
Dance, Documentary

Ailey is a dynamic profile of the iconic dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey. Framed around a remastered voice over of Ailey himself recounting his own life story, the film takes us from his humble childhood in segregated Texas through his stints on Broadway and in Hollywood, before finding his niche as a choreographer and founding his eponymous dance troupe. Interwoven with awe-inspiring dance footage of Ailey and his company over the decades is the current company rehearsing choreographer Rennie Harris’s hauntingly beautiful tribute piece to Ailey. Colleagues and fellow dance greats Judith Jamison, Bill T. Jones, Carmen de Lavallade round out the story of this trailblazer who, through dance, interpreted the Black American experience with grace, strength and unparalleled beauty.


Mining the extensive Ailey archives, award-winning director Jamila Wignot treats us to rarely seen footage of early performances, while also providing fly-on-the-wall access to the inner workings of today’s company, displaying the continuum of movement that was Mr. Ailey’s lifeblood. Through her skillful direction emerges this nuanced portrait of a complex and gifted man, an apt tribute to his life and legacy. —Karen McMullen

*Part of the Juneteenth programming


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Jamila Wignot

Jamila Wignot directed two episodes of PBS’s The African-Americans: Many Rivers to Cross and one for PBS’s American Experience series. Her producing credits include Bring The Pain, A Stray, Street Fighting Men, and The Rehnquist Revolution for WNET’s The Supreme Court.

Director
Jamila Wignot
Producer
Lauren DeFilippo
Cinematographer
Naiti Gámez
Editor
Annukka Lilia
US Distributor
NEON
Cast
Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, George Faison

Contacts
Press Contact
Claire Timmons
NEON / Super LTD
Los Angeles, NY 90025
Phone: 203 668 0835
claire@neonrated.com
International Sales Contact
Ana Vicente
Dogwoof
London, EC1V 3QN
Phone: 207 253 6244
ana@dogwoof.com
Print Source
Sara Cushman
NEON Rated
New York, New York 10012
Phone: 805 453 4273
sara@neonrated.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

Part of the Juneteenth programming. Sponsored by:

Co-hosted by:

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