First Position (2012)
90%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 9 nominations
An upbeat and visually dramatic documentary of children’s ballet, First Position displays the potential of the human spirit when fostered at a young age.
If you’re looking for a documentary that will make you want to pirouette around your living room, First Position is the film for you. Sure, some critics might say it’s too feel-good or lacks depth, but who cares when you’re watching talented young dancers chase their dreams? The film is a beautiful and informative look at the world of ballet, and it’s impossible not to be invested in the journeys of these kids as they compete for a shot at greatness. So grab your tutu and get ready to be inspired!
Production Company(ies)
Kennedy Miller Productions,
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
UK
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2012
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 30m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 4, 2012 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 30, 2012
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, ballet, competition, youth, talent, children, human spirit, dance, aspiring, young, potential, English, Bess Kargman, directed by Bess Kargman, produced by Bess Kargman, Aran Bell, Rebecca Houseknecht, Joan Sebastian Zamora, Juliet Doherty, Susan Jaffe, Giuseppe Bausilio, starring Aran Bell, starring Rebecca Houseknecht, starring Joan Sebastian Zamora, starring Juliet Doherty, starring Susan Jaffe, starring Giuseppe Bausilio, reviewed by Derek Malcolm, reviewed by David Jenkins, reviewed by Peter Bradshaw, reviewed by Antonia Quirke, reviewed by Trevor Johnston, reviewed by Patrick Peters, reviewed by Allen Almachar, reviewed by Debbie Lynn Elias, reviewed by Jo-Anne Titmarsh, reviewed by Debbie Baldwin, reviewed by Jamie Neish, reviewed by Leigh Paatsch, MPAA rating, box office performance, budget, IFC Films
Worldwide gross: $1,730,824
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,231,421
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,383
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 243,339
US/Canada gross: $1,014,071
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,307,365
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,120
US/Canada opening weekend: $48,024
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $61,914
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,131
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Rebecca Houseknecht – Self
Joan Sebastian Zamora – Self
Juliet Doherty – Self
Susan Jaffe – Self
Giuseppe Bausilio – Self
Bess Kargman – Director, Producer
Director(s)
Bess Kargman
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Bess Kargman
Film Festivals
Sundance, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 9 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (76) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (71) | Rotten (5)
Anyone with an interest in dance should enjoy this documentary …
April 12, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Derek Malcolm
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
Settles for heartwarming “follow your dreams” platitudes rather than following the cold realities of being a dancer.
April 11, 2013 | Rating: 2/5
David Jenkins
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
A blandly feelgood documentary about aspiring young ballet dancers.
April 11, 2013 | Rating: 1/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
A griping documentary following several ballet hopefuls as they prepare for an international competition.
April 11, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Antonia Quirke
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Undeniably effective as drama, as we ponder the varying degrees of ambition and talent driving these young people to push their bodies beyond the limit in the hope of grasping a future in the spotlight.
April 10, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
A touching look at ballet’s battle-hardened youngsters.
April 8, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Patrick Peters
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Director Bess Kargman has given us a documentary that doesn’t present much beyond what we have seen in other films like it, but is an entertaining and enjoyable experience nonetheless.
July 31, 2020 | Rating: B
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
A beautiful film, First Position will keep you on your toes.
November 26, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
Whilst the filmmaking is pedestrian, the dancers — to paraphrase Joan’s teacher — “fly”… Kargman may not earn first position, but these dancers most certainly do.
February 13, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Jo-Anne Titmarsh
CineVue
This movie is, hands down, one of the most beautiful, informative and satisfying documentaries I have ever seen.
November 9, 2018 | Rating: 8/10
Debbie Baldwin
Ladue News
First Position may be too slight, too sincere and too plain faced to truly invest in. But for those in need of something that bestows a voice both unto children with a clear focus and passion, it succeeds.
August 14, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Jamie Neish
HeyUGuys
It is edge-of-the-seat stuff by the close of the film, and not just because of the high stakes in play for all involved.
August 10, 2018 | Rating: 4/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)…
Plot
First Position follows six talented young dancers (ages 9-19) from five continents as they prepare for a worldwide ballet competition that could transform their lives overnight.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Director Bess Kargman has given us a documentary that doesn’t present much beyond what we have seen in other films like it, but is an entertaining and enjoyable experience nonetheless.
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