[Short Film Review] BALLETOMANE - Nightmarish Conjurings

I tried to be a ballerina once. Well, I took ballet lessons for a minute when I was under the age of 10. I don’t remember for how long, or what age I was, and I don’t have any memories of it. But I’ve seen the photos. Unfortunately, ballet dancing was not in the cards for me. I was not blessed with grace, long legs, or the ability to ever be thin. I am, instead, awkward, big-boned, and nobody will ever describe me as “graceful”. Dancing of any kind has always been intriguing to me, the way our bodies can move in certain ways, and the fluidity of it, and the discipline required to be successful. It didn’t really break my heart that I was never going to be a dancer. It wasn’t something that I yearned for, and I have never been a balletomane (a ballet enthusiast). However, if I had known about the type of ballet in George James Fraser‘s BALLETOMANE, I might have begged my parents for another chance.

In Fraser’s latest short, young Ellie studies under a harsh head-bitch-in-charge who challenges her stances. Ellie receives no support from her fellow dancers, and they often mock her while taking embarrassing photos they later tag and pass around like the latest meme. Fed up with being the victim, Ellie heads to her alter and takes things into her own hands. Black magic, spells, bloody noses… it’s all worth it to show your bully that there is a force bigger and stronger than them even and that they too can crumble under something more powerful.

Fraser and I have been friends for years, and I have always admired his drive and his passion for his artistic projects. He’s one of the few that I have seen that will put a call out to his friends when he’s feeling creative, gathers up his own equipment, and will go out into the elements to shoot a movie with no preparation, and come back with something magical. With BALLETOMANE, Fraser cast real ballet dancers to star in it. I love that. Their talented dancing, paired with the incredible music by George Bitsakis, is what made this movie. The score is amazing. I have always found piano music to make the best creepy and ominous feelings, and the tunes used in this film convey the emotion perfectly. I am a sucker for anything that puts a bully in their place, and I appreciate the story Fraser decided to tell.

I cannot recommend this short enough. Be sure to follow Fraser on Facebook and Instagram as well as his film festival, Happenstance Horror Fest.