Benjamin Millepied has revealed why he quit Paris Opera Ballet in a new documentary film. Reset, which is released on 13 January 2017, follows his two year tenure with the company.
According to the film, Millepied encountered racist attitudes when he first arrived at the revered ballet group. ‘I heard someone say a black girl in a ballet is a distraction,’ he says during the film. ‘I have to shatter this racist idea.’
He also criticises the quality of the dancers, the company’s ballet school and the medical treatment received by injured dancers.
While the French choreographer – who is married to actress Natalie Portman – enjoyed critical success with the company, the conflict between himself and management over such issues led to his exit in February 2016.
