Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq (2014)

In the shimmering pantheon of ballet's greatest, Tanaquil Le Clercq, known affectionately as Tanny, danced her way into a realm of transcendence. Her unique, elongated physique, mirroring a racehorse's grace and strength, not only entranced audiences but reshaped the very core of ballet, becoming the mold for the legendary George Balanchine's ideal ballerina. Her groundbreaking style, imbued with a distinctive blend of humor and authenticity, etched a new paradigm in the world of dance, inspiring generations of dancers in her wake. Tanny's magnetic aura and extraordinary talent bewitched not one, but two artistic titans. The great George Balanchine, captivated by her ethereal presence, both on and off stage, offered her his heart in marriage. Jerome Robbins, equally entranced, channelled his admiration into his renowned creation, 'Afternoon of a Faun,' a ballet designed as an ode to Tanny's mesmerizing artistry. At the apex of her career, revered as the preeminent dancer of her era, destiny played a cruel hand. A tour of Europe, which promised further acclaim, became a devastating turning point. Struck down by polio at the tender age of 27, Tanny was paralyzed, her dancing shoes left to gather dust forever. 'Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq' is a poignant exploration of a star that shone bright and brief, her legacy forever imprinted in the annals of ballet. It is a tale of passion, genius, love, and an abrupt end that echoes the haunting notes of a ballet's final act, forever leaving the audience wanting more.

Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq is a documentary movie featuring Michael Stuhlbarg and directed by Nancy Buirski.

Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Hoopla and OVID.

It is also possible to buy Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Kino Now and YouTube.