Los Angeles Film Festival

MAIKO: DANCING CHILD 

A FILM BY ÅSE SVENHEIM DRIVENES 

THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 14th in Los Angeles

Maiko's destiny was decided before she was born. Her name Maiko means dancing child. Her mother, the driving force behind her career, sold their home to send 14-year-old Maiko to the most prestigious dancing schools in Europe. Maiko knew she couldn't return to Japan as a failure. Today she is 32 and on top of her career as a prima ballerina at the Norwegian National Ballet. But Maiko is not a young dancer anymore and talented newcomers are fighting for her position. Competition is getting tougher when Maiko decides to start a family...

Official Selection LA Film Festival 2015

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

JUNE 14 3:55 PM 

JUNE 16 3:30 PM

REGAL CINEMAS- LA LIVE

1000 W. Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90015 

 This visually stunning film follows the life of dancer Maiko Neshino.  She has reached a pinnacle in her career as the celebrated prima ballerina of the Norwegian National Ballet. Now, she comes face to face with her desire to have a child – and star in Swan Lake.  In their debut documentary, filmmakers Åse Svenheim-Drivenes and Anita Rehoff Larsen explore the roles of mother and daughter with the traditional image of a ballerina. Early home videos of Maiko’s family in Japan are woven together with present day interactions between Maiko and her mother, emphasizing the sacrifices the family made to make Maiko’s dreams of ballet a reality. Elegant performance footage is balanced with moments of strenuous training, but Maiko’s grace can barely conceal the strain of continuing to persevere as the National Ballet’s top dancer – especially as her body changes.

The film will make it's World Premiere debut at the LA FILM FESTIVAL on JUNE 14th 3:55 PM at REGAL CINEMAS- LA LIVE.  

Both Maiko and Ase will be in town and are available for interviews June 13-15.  Please contact elisha@tcdm-associates.com if you are interested in covering the film.