In partnership with La Cinémathèque de la Danse, the Arts Arena celebrates the legendary dancer on the occasion of his 90th birthday, in a Sunday morning screening of Le Mystère Babilée. Dir. Patrick Bensard (2000, 90’), montage Germaine Cohen, producer Bruno Deloye, administration Anne-Marie Chaulet, featuring Leslie Caron, Yvette Chauviré, Nathalie Philippart, Brigitte Lefèvre, Zapo, Maurice Béjart, Mikhaïl Baryshnikov, Jérémie Bélingard, Jean Guizerix, Wilfride Piollet, Roland Petit, Christian Lacroix, Jean-Paul Goude…Preceding the screening, original archival material will be shown, together with Jean Babilée, live from Dakar.
Born in Paris in 1923, this exceptional dancer became an overnight star with his interpretaion of Jeune homme et la Mort (text by Jean Cocteau) on June 25, 1946. After studying at the Opéra de Paris, Jean Babilée had begun his career in post-war Cannes, then moved on to the Ballets des Champs-Élysées (1945-1950), where he was named Danseur Etoile, and created numerous productions such as Jeu de Cartes (Janine Charrat), L’Amour et son amour, Till Eulenspiegel …. At the age of 56, he created Life, choreographed by Maurice Béjart and performed in New York in 1979. Jean Babilée with Jean Cocteau.
Photograph: Sam Lévin
Arts Arena members : Free of charge with reservation at artsarena@aup.edu General Public : 6,50 euros, reservations at www.cinematheque.fr