Description |
1 online resource (57 min.) |
Series |
Filmakers Library online
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Summary |
Water Flowing Together offers an intimate portrait of a remarkable dancer, Jock Soto, who retired from the New York City Ballet at age forty, after a twenty-four-year career. Soto's journey as an openly gay man of Navajo Indian and Puerto Rican descent provides a rare glimpse into the life of a dancer and the disparate worlds which shaped this important artist. Soto was asked to join the New York City Ballet by George Balanchine at sixteen after first studying at its School on a full scholarship. He was soon given his first solo roles in Balanchine s ballets, then Jerome Robbins featured him. In the course of his career, Soto became one of the most choreographed-on dancers in the company, as Balanchine, Robbins and Peter Martins were inspired by his capabilities. Lauded for his partnering as well, he formed memorable duos with Heather Watts and Wendy Whelan. The film captures his determination, ambivalence and occasional despair as he prepared to retire in 2005 and let go of his identity as a principal dancer. He was reluctant to return to the Navaho tribe ("Water Flowing Together") in Arizona to visit his family as he feared Navaho "rules" about homosexuality but he did so and found that they were extremely proud of him and accepting. This was where his mother had first taught him the Navajo Hoop Dance. Jock may have left the stage, but says, "I will continue teaching at the School of American Ballet until I'm 104." |
Analysis |
Dance |
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Sexuality and gender |
Audience |
For College; Adult audiences |
Notes |
English |
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Audience Award, Sedona International Film Festival, 2007 |
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Best Documentary Feature, Imaginative Film Festival, 2007 |
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Best Feature, Outfest Fusion LA LGBT Film Festival, 2007 |
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Jury Prize, Dance on Camera Festival, 2007 |
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Print version record |
Subject |
Soto, Jock
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SUBJECT |
Soto, Jock fast |
Genre/Form |
Documentary.
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Form |
Streaming video
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