Content Warning: this article contains mentions of eating disorders and physical, mental, and sexual abuse.
Part sport part art, ballet is an incredibly difficult industry to succeed in. Not only do you need immense physical and mental strength as a ballet dancer, but the industry itself is known for abuse towards dancers. “Eating disorder trap” and “cult of the thin” are just some of the things the ballet industry has been called by media outlets. Eating disorders, mental and physical trauma, sexual abuse, self-esteem issues – all of these happen in the industry, mostly in silence.
That fearful silence is beginning to speak up as more and more dancers realise the abuse they suffered was wrong.
One group of dancers, the Ballet de Barcelona, are not only speaking out but are actively creating a safe company for ballet dancers. The group have no money, no reputation, and no experience in building a company. Yet, they remain brave in the face of their deep-rooted trauma that surrounds ballet. John English and Tom Garner, co-founders of OTOXO Productions, documented the company on the run-up to their first full production.
Unbound, the Jury Award winner from CSDF 2024, showcases the sheer willpower of these dancers as they fight to overcome their trauma while battling to be the best dancers they possibly can be. The pressure is on as Chase Johnsey, a genderfluid ballet insurgent who has never directed before, prepares the dancers for their first production as a company. Unbound documents the team’s high highs and low lows through a rollercoaster of emotional moments.
“From a young age, they tell you to shut up”
The documentary follows the full team with a focus on Lisa, Stanka (both founded Ballet de Barcelona), and Reo.
Lisa and Stanka were both accepted into the industry at a young age, 12 and 11 respectively. “From the beginning […] it didn’t feel right”, Stanka said shakily.
Recounting some of the horrors she faced, Lisa said: “From a young age they tell you to shut up.” Instilling silence early on is what keeps the toxicity of the industry so hidden, leaving the perpetrators without consequences.
Unbound begins three months before their first full production – Nutcracker. Throughout the countdown to the production, the team displayed amazing strength and a willingness to heal from their pasts.
Sometimes, you want to reach through the screen to hug and comfort the dancers. One of these moments is when Reo is speaking about the “taller” boys getting cast instead of him.
“[This made me] sad, ‘cause I just want to dance. I just want to dance,” Reo repeats in disbelief.
As heartbreaking as their stories are, they don’t ever pity themselves. The dancers show immense bravery to continue in the world of ballet and have faith in their work.
“Their trauma, their pain, is real”
Stanka reflects on her previous teacher in this documentary, a reflection which shows the long-term damage the industry can have on people.
“No matter what I do there is this picture of myself […] and it’s never good enough,” Stanka admits shakily.
Her previous teacher praised her unhealthy weight loss, a loss that resulted in Stanka being admitted to hospital.
“Anorexia developed in the ballet world because you have to be so submissive. I just really wanted a ballet company where I could change that,” said Chase.
Similar battles and traumas are experiences, spoken about, and relived throughout Unbound. With all of the emotional turmoil already weighing on the team, they run into technical problems with their production along the way.
Through the ups and the downs, Unbound leaves nothing out. It gives a true, raw, and open account of what they’ve all endured. The camera crew make us privy to every emotion and every thought going through each dancer’s head.
The production encapsulates all of these raw emotions with the music used, the editing and sequencing, and the framing of shots. We see solo performances from Chase, Stanka, and Lisa throughout the film, helping us to see how they express themselves through their dance.
“I am a broken person. But I think what keeps me going is the dancers” – Chase
Speaking up for the future
As the clock continues counting down, the dancer’s perfect moves are as gentle and hushed as the twinkling of piano keys to as strong and unmoveable as an old oak tree in the wind.
The time for the show arrives and each dancer shows a display of endurance, strength, elegance, and willpower of an almost super-human level.
Without giving too much away, Unbound culminates with an emotional end of the show. After, they follow up on Lisa two years later. Here, she goes to the police back in Belgium and reports her abuser. This abuser would stand in the dressing room with the dancers as they got changed. Lisa was only 11-years-old.
“It’s very difficult for a dancer to speak up but from experience, if someone else does it first it’s easier to join in. That’s my main goal. To make young dancers, especially, realise that they should not be scared to speak up,” Lisa said.
After her report, several others stepped forward to report crimes by the same director. “He has since been convicted to six years imprisonment for sexual assault against minors.”
Unbound helps give voice to the voiceless in this gut-wrenching journey with Ballet de Barcelona. Displays of humanity, of joy, of sadness – Unbound will guide you along the way as you watch these dancers bloom into a second chance with the industry that so harshly failed them.
For upcoming screenings of Unbound follow the film’s Instagram or website.
Featured Image Credit: Unbound