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Yuli
Paul Laverty (I, Daniel Blake) scripts this inspiring biopic of Carlos Acosta, and his journey from a run-down Havana neighborhood to becoming the first black principal dancer of The Royal Ballet.
Director: Icíar Bollaín
Overview
Yuli is the nickname given the streets of a run-down neighborhood in Havana was to Carlos Acosta by his father Pedro. From a young age, Yuli fled any kind of discipline and education; where he learned most of his schooling. But Pedro knows his son has natural talent and forces him to attend Cuba’s National Dance School. Against his will and despite his initial indiscipline, Yuli ends up being captivated by the world of dance, and from childhood he will begin to forge his own legend, as one of the best dancers of his generation, often breaking tabus and becoming the first black artist to dance Romeo in the Royal Ballet in London, where he forged a legendary career as a principal dancer for 17 years.
Yuli marks the fourth fruitful collaboration between Spanish director Icíar Bollaín and British screenwriter Paul Laverty (best knows for his series of Ken Loach screenplays), following the highly acclaimed The Olive Tree, which is also available on BFI Player.
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