Category: Documentary Feature
Year: 2010
Run Time: 88 min
Credits: Director: Anne H. Bass | Editors: Mark Sutton, Girish Bhargava

ARKANSAS PREMIERE!

Synopsis: Sokvannara “Sy” Sar was a dancer on the streets of Cambodia until he caught the eye of filmmaker Anne Bass. Overcome by Sy’s natural talent and raw charisma onstage, Bass felt compelled to nurture his gift by helping him come to America to train in classical ballet. DANCING ACROSS BORDERS follows Sy’s transformation as he faces the challenges of a Cambodian folk dancer adjusting to the strict laws of Western ballet culture. The film features footage of Sy’s performances, including his performance with legendary musician Phillip Glass at the Vail International Dance Festival. In her debut feature film, philanthropist and art enthusiast Bass sympathetically chronicles Sy’s ascent to become ballet’s newest, and least likely, rising star.

"Informative and flavorful. . .Sar's evident sweetness and talent seem to be guiding him to acclaim from the beginning." --New York Daily News

"In a mere 88 minutes, DANCING ACROSS BORDERS tells several overlapping stories engagingly...we see deeply into the challenges that every fledgling ballet dancer must face on the road to prowess." --LA Times

Awards: Best Documentary, Milan International Film Festival; Directors Choice, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival

Screenings (partial list): Seattle International Film Festival, Sante Fe Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival