Yuli

115 Mins
2018
es

star6.9/ 10

Yuli is the nickname given to Carlos Acosta by his father, Pedro, who considers him the son of Ogun, an African god and a fighter. As a child Yuli avoids discipline and education, learning from the streets of an impoverished and abandoned Havana. His father, however, has other ideas, and knowing that his son has a natural talent for dance, sends him to the National Ballet School of Cuba. Despite his repeated escapes and initial poor behaviour, the boy is inevitably drawn to the world of dance, and begins to shape his legendary career from a young age, becoming the first black dancer to be cast in some of the most prestigious ballet roles, originally written for white dancers, in companies such as the Houston Ballet or the Royal Ballet in London.

Review

SWITCH.

'Yuli' is a stylishly shot and well-cast film, but it's not without its faults. Wonderful performances can't save the poor pacing and a confusing narrative structure. The overly ambitious script tries to portray too vast a period, and suffers from a pressured pace and perplexing timelines. It’s not exactly Carlos Acosta's life through dance, but it does showcase his talent magnificently, whilst also acting as a tribute to those who helped him get to where he is today. An intriguing yet cursory glance at a great artist. - Charlie David Page Read Charlie's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-yuli-dancing-on-a-knifes-edge Head to https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/sff for more Sydney Film Festival reviews.