A new biopic on John Cranko, simply titled CRANKO, will premiere on 20th September, 2024, in Opernhaus in Stuttgart, Germany. The theatrical premiere in the country will follow on 3rd October.
The film about the legendary dancer and choreographer is directed by Joachim A. Lang.
Cranko was appointed as the director and choreographer of the Stuttgart Ballet in 1961 until his death in 1973, aged 45. During these years, he created many works including Romeo and Juliet in 1962 (the beautiful balcony), Onegin in 1965 and the new version in 1967, and The Taming of the Shrew in 1969 (very unique pas de deux), and he rose to stardom in the ballet world.
British actor Sam Reilly, who appeared in Control and Malificent among other films, plays the title role. To ballet lovers’ delight, many current company dancers appear in the film: Elisa Badenes as Marcia Haydée, Jason Reilly as Ray Barra, Friedemann Vogel as Heinz Clauss, Rocio Aleman as Birgit Keil, Marti Paixa as Richard Cragun and Henrik Erikson as Egon Madsen. The filming locations include the company’s stage and original studios where Cranko worked.
The note in parentheses are my personal opinion. I sincerely hope the film will be shown in the rest of the ballet world.