Screened at the Sundance Film Festival, it’s hard to tell what
Ailey is trying to do. For starters, it’s described as a “portrait” of its namesake on IMDB, but it’s closer to a tribute to him instead. In fact, it even opens with a clip from
Cicely Tyson’s speech honoring Ailey at the Kennedy Center in 1988, when he was awarded for his lifetime contribution to American culture. Perhaps unbeknownst to the audience at this point in the film, this moment sets the tone for what’s to come.
While Wignot seems to obligatorily include audio interviews and other archival footage of Ailey taking us through his biographical journey, she offers little exposition of his words. For example, when he talks about being raised by a single mother in Texas in the 1930s, and plainly states that he had no relationship with his father, there is no one from his personal life friends? Family members? also featured in the film that could ground his statements. As a result, it feels immedia
Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Photo by Jack Mitchell
Park City audiences have had the chance to see the works of world-renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey thanks to the Park City Institute bringing his touring companies to town.
During this year’s Sundance Film Festival, audiences will get the opportunity to get to know the man who created the works “Revelations,” “Masekela Language” and “Cry,” through Jamila Wignot’s documentary “Ailey.”
The film will make its virtual festival premiere at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and Wignot is excited to screen her film.
“Sundance was a goal, and my entire team and I are elated, even though we won’t get to enjoy being at Park City,” Wignot said. “Obviously when you set out to make these films, you have hopes about how it will be received and where it may premiere.”