Yuli

Yuli is the nickname given to the dancer Carlos Acosta by his father, Pedro, who considers him the son of Ogun, an African god and a fighter. As a child Yuli avoided discipline and education, learning from the streets of an impoverished and abandoned Havana. His father, however, has other ideas. Knowing that his son has a natural talent for dance, he sends him to the National Ballet School of Cuba. Despite his repeated escapes and initial poor behaviour, the boy is inevitably drawn into the world of dance, and begins to shape his legendary career from a young age, becoming the first black dancer to be cast in some of the most prestigious ballet roles, originally written for white dancers, in companies such as the Houston Ballet and the Royal Ballet in London.

Post-film discussion with Ballet West Soloist Hadriel Diniz from Brazil and First-Soloist Sayaka Ohtaki from Japan. Adam Sklute, Artistic Director of Ballet West, will moderate.

Presented with Park City Library. Wine and beer available for purchase.

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