Yuli - Trailer - SFF 19

The 66th Sydney Film Festival – 5-16 June 2019

Cuban ballet luminary Carlos Acosta is both star and subject of this moving and unusual fusion of biography and dazzling dance, by Spanish director Icíar Bollaín.

A visual treat for ballet fans, Yuli is the inspiring true story of the UK Royal Ballet’s first black dancer, combining a loving account of Acosta’s upbringing in his native Havana with glorious dance sequences that flesh out his life story. Framed by present-day rehearsals for an autobiographical production, Yuli explores Acosta’s impoverished childhood, his early struggles with his monumental talent and his stormy relationship with his father, who was as abusive as he was proud of his son's career. With his legendary grace and power, lovingly depicted here by Bollaín (Take My Eyes), Acosta became world-famous and a longtime principal dancer at the Royal Ballet but never forgot his roots – as demonstrated by the film’s unflinching commentary on racism, classism and politics.

Directed by Iciar Bollaín 2018 Spain, Cuba, UK, Germany 112 minutes All Ages

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