Becoming Giulia

»You are not "just" a vessel, you are an artist and as such you interpret and bring your own personalities and experiences into it: A child can change art and art needs change!«

»It’s interesting to see a documentary exploring the challenges for a new mother returning to work – and when that new mother happens to be a prima ballerina, the results are especially fascinating.«

»"Becoming Giulia" shows Giulia Tonelli as a strong woman and mother and also offers a very interesting insight into a world that normally remains hidden to outsiders. Even if you have no connection to ballet, this film as a whole is very interesting and well worth seeing.«

»As a result, the camera in 'Becoming Giulia' not only dances along with the protagonist, but also begins to hover on its own and sometimes briefly goes on an exploratory tour.«

»BECOMING GIULIA is an unagitated, intimate portrait of the extraordinary Mrs Tonelli, who is now a mother of two.«

Interview with Giulia Tonelli: »I'm trying to find myself: as a mother and a dancer. Giulia on stage has everything under control, mum Giulia doesn't always. But that's okay.«

»A well-composed documentary film that brought him closer to the world of dance.«

»"Becoming Giulia" is a testament to the powers that are released in a mother!«

»Even the opening of the film shows Kaehr's audiovisual sense of style - when Tonelli dances alone on stage in the empty hall of the opera house. Later, we see parts of a production, are behind the scenes and feel the exhaustion after a big performance. The ballet world here is a microcosm in which the conflicts and obstacles for parents and mothers in particular are illustrated; ultimately, however, Becoming Giulia deals with a subject that can be transferred to a number of other industries.«

»The cameras follow Tonelli up close and capture her dancing magic of expression and power. The fact that director Laura Kaehr once danced professionally herself and has a special eye for the artistic staging of movements pays off in scenes like this.«

»Kaehr uses Tonelli as an example to show where classical ballet stands and where modern ballet wants to go.«

»"Becoming Giulia" tells the story of a liberation and personal development in images full of atmosphere. The director was a dancer herself, you can feel her closeness to the subject in the film.«

»If you are not only interested in the glamor of classical ballet, but also want to take a look behind the scenes, this film is perfect for you. [...] From the contrast between the perfect performance on stage and the dusty, sweaty atmosphere in which it was practiced and perfected, the film develops a fascination of its own that will also captivate people outside the dance scene.«

»The child awakens unexpected powers in her with regard to her artistic expression, while at the same time she becomes more aware of the power structures of a profession that hardly allows for a normal private life.«

»"Becoming Giulia" captures the energy of the intensive preparation, the excitement and the (time) pressure behind the scenes and the impressive result on stage.«

»An exciting behind-the-scenes look at the ballet world!«

»Reminiscent of Pina Bausch's way of working.«

»Accompanying Giulia Tonelli on her journey is exciting and a true-to-life confrontation with the challenges that dancers and mothers face.«

»"Becoming Giulia" becomes a plea for a different ballet, in which more women take on leading roles and in which female dancers - their needs, but also their creativity - play a greater role«

»A topic long overdue«

»An unusual, gripping film about self-realization - not just for women and ballet lovers.«

»It's amazing to watch Giulia Tonelli dance, her bodywork is pure wonder, her expressiveness outstanding.«

Interview with director Laura Kaehr

Article & interview excerpts with Laura Kaehr & Giulia Tonelli