Pointe. Dancing on a Knife’s Edge the movie, reminds us that life can turn in a second and how trauma can consume you or point to a second chance.
Born into Australian ballet royalty dancer Floeur Alder, grew up on the stage. Mother Lucette Aldous, AC was internationally acclaimed dancer who often partnered Rudolf Nureyev. Her father Alan Alder was also a renowned dance who taught at WAPA.
Growing up in a theatrical household was always going to have its challenges. With one parent being an international star, the imbalance played out through jealousy, alcoholism and Floeur taking refuge in the wardrobe. But as an only child she’d learnt to rely on herself and in her teens she cemented herself as a dancer to watch.
At 22, she was on track to start a European dance career. Several luminaries of the dance world were keeping an eye out for her.
One night back in Perth she got out of her car and walked the short distance to her front door. The street, Mary Street is situated just a step away from a thriving inner city restaurant strip. Its majestic trees frame each side of the verge reaching out to shadow the street in a dense dark canopy. The picturesque vision and calm atmosphere make it the subject of numerous social media posts, particularly for wedding parties.
On this particular night however the serene canopy provided cover for a stranger who stepped out and punched Floeur in the face. When she didn’t go down he stabbed her in the neck just inches from her carotid artery. Sadly, there were no cameras in sight and no CCTV.
Pointe, the movie tells Floeurs story, from promising dancer living a dream life to random victim and ultimately survivor.
As the credit rolled I pondered:
- For any dance lovers out there, you’ll delight in the historical footage of her parents dancing, especially that of her mother dancing with Rudolf Nureyev;
- The interviews with key dance luminaries like Chrissie Parrott are an added treat;
- The movie is a powerful reminder that life can turn on dime and that trauma brings with it a choice of weaking or strengthening you;
- It also investigates the healing power of creativity, be it music, art or dance. I couldn’t help but ponder about how much the day-to-day strength of character and resilience needed to master dance, helped foster Floeurs’ never give up attitude.
For more information go to Luna Cinema. Starts September 11.
