Être Noir à l'Opéra (2024)

Name: Être Noir à l'Opéra
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2025-09-16T12:47:33+02:00
Rating: 3.5

Documentary | 58 minutes

3,50 1 votes

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Genre: Documentary

Duration: 58 minuten

Alternative title: Pas de Deux

Country: France

Directed by: Virginie Plaut and Youcef Khemane

IMDb score: 7,0 (7)

This movie is not available on US streaming services.

Être Noir à l'Opéra plot

Two young, Black artists are revolutionizing the classical ballet world. France's prestigious Opera House, steeped in tradition, protocol, and strict etiquette, is one of the world's three leading ballet companies, and boasts the very best ballet school. What was once impossible is now a reality. Dancer Guillaume Diop is the first Black star dancer ever, and Sulivan Loiseau is the first Black musician in the orchestra. Their talent is undeniable, but the color of their skin still proves to be a factor.

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mrklm

11659 messages
10059 votes

16 September 2025 at 12:47

Institutional racism in the traditionally all-white ballet world becomes a sensitive issue when Guillaume Diop becomes the first "Étoile" of the Paris Opera Ballet in 2023. Martinique-born cellist Sulivan Loiseau is the first Black member of the opera orchestra. The arrival of Guillaume and Sulivan forces everyone to examine and, in many cases, revise perceived traditions (such as the appearance of Chinese characters). This candid documentary doesn't beat around the bush and shows the struggle to get everyone on board with a new approach to 19th-century operas that have been performed (largely) the same way for over 125 years.