Press Release: Queen + Bejart - Ballet For Life DVD/BR Release

http://www.queenonline.com/news/press-release-queen-bejart-ballet-for-life-dvdbr-release



EAGLE VISION PROUDLY PRESENTS - QUEEN + BÉJART BALLET FOR LIFE - Released on DVD, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL on 6th September 2019

‘I see it as a joyful ballet, neither sinister nor defeatist. It’s not a ballet about death, but about people who died too early’ – Maurice Béjart

‘The Ballet has a strong spiritual connection with Queen’ – Brian May

On September 6, 2019, Eagle Vision will release Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life, which documents Queen’s music as the inspiration for a unique ballet that has endured for over twenty years, on DVD, Blu-ray & digital video. The DVD and Blu-ray will also be available as deluxe editions, packaged in a 36-page hardback photo book featuring photos from the Ballet for Life.

Ballet for Life was a unique collaboration between three cultural brands: Queen, Versace and the late visionary choreographer Maurice Béjart, celebrating the life and talents of legendary performers, Freddie Mercury and Maurice Béjart’s former principal dancer, Jorge Donn, both of whom died of AIDS. It was first performed in the Théâtre de Chaillot in January 1997 in the presence of Madame Chirac, Elton John and the three surviving members of Queen, John Deacon, Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life features two programs: the documentary by Lynne Wake and Simon Lupton, and a full 1997 performance of the ballet by the Béjart Ballet Lausanne. The documentary, edited by Emmy Award winner Christopher Bird, tells the story of the creation and success of the ballet featuring the great and the good of both rock and dance, including Brian May, Roger Taylor, Gil Roman, Wayne Sleep and Arlene Phillips. The performance includes incredible archive footage of Freddie Mercury, Maurice Béjart, Queen and Gianni Versace, as well as featuring Versace’s stunning costume designs. The production continues to tour widely but is captured here performing at Théâtre Métropole, Lausanne in June 1997.

The Ballet For Life film is directed by Maurice Béjart and David Mallet, known specifically for directing live performance concerts of such megastars as Tina Turner, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and numerous Queen videos including “Bicycle Race”, “Radio Ga Ga”, “I Want to Break Free” and Freddie’s classic “The Great Pretender” video.

Maurice Béjart’s long-standing friend Gianni Versace was tragically killed in Miami shortly after the filming in Lausanne. Sadly, this departure into the world of ballet for Versace proved to be one of his last.

The production marks the ultimate fusion of Queen’s sweeping emotional melodies, both live and studio tracks, and the timeless ethereal grace and movement of ballet. It is the first and only time a full-length ballet has been paired to rock music, albeit alongside some traditional pieces from Mozart. The theme of the choreography is about the cycle of life and life triumphing over death, it perfectly reflects the mood of the songs. Dancers fuse classical and modern ballet seamlessly to songs including, It’s a Beautiful Day, I Was Born to Love You and Radio Ga Ga, closing with the spectacular The Show Must Go On. This release also includes a substantial segment of John Deacon’s final performance with Queen, taken from the Queen + Béjart Ballet for Life premiere performance with Elton John in Paris.

Béjart explained that with Ballet for Life he wanted to bring Freddie Mercury back to life, in doing so he created a delight for both Queen and ballet fans alike. Breaking with tradition, the packed audience applaud throughout the show. This is ballet as you’ve never seen it before, with the wild-eyed euphoria of a rock concert.

Appropriately, Queen + Béjart: Ballet for Life will be released the day after the annual Freddie For A Day events, marking the birthday of the late, great Freddie Mercury.

100% of royalties payable by Eagle Rock Entertainment to Tonleigh Ltd will be donated to The Mercury Phoenix Trust fighting AIDS worldwide.

About The Mercury Phoenix Trust
The Mercury Phoenix Trust was founded in 1992 by Brian May, Roger Taylor and their manager Jim Beach in memory of rock band Queen’s iconic lead singer FREDDIE MERCURY who died in 1991 from AIDS-related causes. In the last 27 years, the Trust has given away over 16 million dollars in his name and funded over 1000 mainly grassroots projects in the global battle against HIV/AIDS. For more information on the Mercury Phoenix Trust visit: www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com.

Boring

And I like it on the other hand. Waiting for any unseen footage of John from 1997 (which is already the case on the trailer) and seeing Queen+Elton performance in HD.

Why?, why?, why?. u.u why don't release a queen concert? (Houston, Court, Killers, Brussels something like that). T.T

it's a bit weird they release it now - i agree. right after the movie, and the tour... you would think why not milk them while we can. instead they release something so insanely obscure AND without Freddie. there must be something big coming... and that's why they wanted to announce this during the summer and not later in september for an oct-nov release.

In an interview in the past Roger stated Ballet was not something he was interested in and smiled so it's fascinating that Roger and Brian seem to think Queen fans would like this DVD, maybe dancing in our living rooms possibly doing pirouettes and bouncing limited edition Queen balloons?

[QUOTE] [b]flash00. wrote:[/b]

In an interview in the past Roger stated Ballet was not something he was interested in and smiled so it's fascinating that Roger and Brian seem to think Queen fans would like this DVD, maybe dancing in our living rooms possibly doing pirouettes and bouncing limited edition Queen balloons? [/QUOTE]

:D

I'm lost for words. Who the hell will buy this? Surely it must have a VERY limited audience. Even the convention types that buy 2 copies of everything that even has a fucking Q on it will think twice.

I'm not sure Versace would be too happy about being associated with Brian in his baco-foil/robot thing that he found in his dressing up box.

I don't get the idea that this is a regular Queen-release - and it makes sense as a Mercury-Phoenix Trust release. Maurice Bejart has his own fan-base in the world of ballet.

Thanks, another product I can skip.

I am a bit surprised to see all the negativity.
From all the Queen related projects (not purely Queen product) this is actually the most stunning stuff there is.
It's an absolutely wonderful and touching performance. True art.

So on september 6th they're bringing ballet to the masses...

[QUOTE] [b]splicksplack wrote:[/b]


I'm not sure Versace would be too happy about being associated with Brian in his baco-foil/robot thing that he found in his dressing up box.
[/QUOTE]

Ha ha how hilarious did o'l Bri look obviously hoping his NASA friends would be impressed with his cereal boxes and held together with old bootlaces, Brian probably looked dangerous in his own mind lol.

I deeply hope this is not the only release of the year. It is fine by me, but if they don't release Hammersmith 79' or at least (and would be embarrasing knowing they have the full hammy concert in the vaults) a compilation of Live Killers 79', it will be a very crappy year in terms of Official Queen Material. where is Houston 1977, Where is Earls Court 1977, Where is Knebworth 86', Buenos Aires 81', etc, etc, etc....

I have seen balet for life in 2011 is very good, I think this forthcoming release somehow is more related with Freddie solo stuff which will be released this year.
The whole "strategy" reminds me the solo releases of Freddie in 1992 - 93, I believe that we will get something from Queen in the end of 2020 in coincidence of 2021 50th anniversary.
Also in 2023 is 50th of their first album.