It’s been a while since we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a new dance movie and we can’t wait for this one to appear on the big screen! Featuring world renowned talent, both local and international, production has now commenced in Sydney, Australia for the new teen coming-of-age dance drama The Red Shoes: Next Step. Get ready to be entertained with this upcoming movie because from what we’ve read so far, it seems certain to be a hit!

“The Red Shoes is written with genuine characters and themes that delve into the importance of the strength and bond between dance families and friends. We aim to produce a world within The Red Shoes that feels grounded in reality, showing, on one hand, the challenges, stress and pain that comes with ballet, but on the other the freedom, love, and acceptance that can also be found through dance” explains Director Jesse A’hern (The Legend of the Five) and Co-Director Joanne Samuel (Mad Max).

Featuring two-time gold medalist ballet dancer Juliet Doherty (High Strung: Free Dance and Driven to Dance) as the lead Sam Cavanaugh and The Conjuring 2’s Lauren Esposito as her rebellious best friend Eve, the film opens with Sam backstage about to dance the lead in ‘The Red Shoes’ ballet when her older sister Annie, a brilliant dancer, is struck by a car while on FaceTime with Sam. Guilt-ridden, Sam quits the Academy, returns to high school, runs wild with Eve, and lands herself in community service, to be served cleaning studios at the Academy; a constant memory of the tragedy.When Gracie, ‘The Red Shoes’ principal, is injured, Sam is pressed by her ballet teacher Ms Harlow to take over the role and dance with Ben, an old friend, long-time crush, and renowned dancer.

Written by award-winning writer John Banas (Miss Phryne Fisher Murder Mysteries), Peter McLeod (The Legend of the Five), and Zachary Layner, The Red Shoes: Next Step reunites A’hern and Samuel following The Legend of the Five, which the former directed and latter produced.

The supporting cast is a mix of talented dancers and emerging local acting talent, including professional ballet dancer (and Energetiks former Model Search Winner and Ambassador) Joel Burke, Paris Opera Ballet dancer Primrose Kern, Carolyn Bock (Neighbours, Wentworth), Mietta White (Conspiracy 365), Ashleigh Rose (Dance Academy) and Nicholas Andrianankos (The Legend of the Five).

Executive Producer Tanya Esposito believes the film will appeal to many and be an excellent platform to showcase Australia’s abundance of young talent: “The Red Shoes comes at a unique time where there is a void of dance-centred films aimed at a younger audience. The film will also appeal to a wider demographic who will appreciate the complexities of our professionally choreographed dance scenes. It has been a real pleasure working with a young multi-talented cast and I believe The Red Shoes showcases the high calibre of young dancers Australia has to offer”. 

Behind the scenes, Australian ballet dancer Daniel Gaudiello is choreographing, whilst Kent Marcus is Director of Photography, and Tanya Esposito and Jesse A’hern Producing. Pivot Pictures are distributing the film in Australia and New Zealand.

The Red Shoes: Next Step is expected to be released to audiences in 2022.

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Article by Sheree Ronai-Horvath
Photography by The Red Shoes: Next Step and Elly Ford

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