Full story: Dancing Across Borders

This film would be interesting simply for the fact that it displays many parts of what it means to train as a professional ballet dancer and student, but is all the more engaging because of S’s situation; that being the lone Cambodian to take on such a quest. Sy may come from poor roots, but his is by no means a sob story of an underdog, but that does not make it any less special or rare an opportunity. This film gives us the chance to see more than just his home, family and friends, as well as the many stages he earns a spot performing on, but we are privy to what can happen when chance falls upon the sort of person who has the passion to take hold of it and elevate themselves in something that was a total unknown to himself and his fellow countrymen.

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Director Anne Bass spotted him in a small community dance troupe while she was visiting Angkor Wat. Sar had such a luminous stage presence and natural facility; she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Bass had a background in dance and connections at New York City Ballet.

Anne Bass arranged for his training at New York City Ballet’s School of American Dance with Olga Kostritzky – master Russian classical coach. Sar didn’t know English or ballet vocabulary and also had to adjust to the culture shock of living in New York. Many of his tutors never believed he could be a professional ballet dancer. He proved them wrong and was hired at Pacific Northwest Ballet.

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(photo courtesy: KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & Press)

By: Roger McBain

The global reach of this year’s “Nutcracker” is pronouncedly evident during a break in rehearsals at Evansville Dance Theatre.

Everyone speaks English, but the accents exchanged among three guest principals come from Cambodia, Japan and Middle America.

Sokvannara “Sy” (pronounced “See”) Sar, the Cambodian dancer featured in the recent documentary film “Dancing Across Borders,” talks about his featured role of the Cavalier in this production, soloing and partnering with Allyson Ashley, a Kansas City, Mo., native, cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

[Read full story at courierpress.com]

All proceeds from the sale of posters and T-shirts will go directly towards Nginn Karet Foundation for Cambodia’s “Give a Future to a Child of Angkor” urgent appeal. Your kindness will help children fulfill their dream to follow in the footsteps of dancers and musicians seen on Angkor Wat and other ancient Khmer temples.

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DANCING ACROSS BORDERS is the intimate and triumphant story of Sokvannara “Sy” Sar, who as a young man in Cambodia was dancing with a small troupe in Angkor Wat when Anne Bass, a longtime patron of dance in America, saw him perform. Bass was so taken with Sy’s talent and potential that she arranged for him to come to New York and audition for the prestigious School of American Ballet.

First Run Features released DANCING ACROSS BORDERS theatrically in 30 cities on March 26, 2010.

First Run Features released DANCING ACROSS BORDERS on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States and Canada on December 7, 2010. The standard DVD is priced at $27.95 SRP and the Blu-ray is $34.95 SRP. Most major retailers carry it.

[Read full story at broadwayworld.com]

Dancing Across Borders will officially be available in DVD and Blu-ray on December 7th! For now, you can check out the posters and T-shirts!

For purchasing details, go here.

Editor Girish Bhargava accepts award for Best Documentary on Anne Bass’ behalf at the Milan International Film Festival’s awards ceremony, Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, November 4, 2010.