
COLLIDING FORCES – MOTHERS IN BALLET
2023
A feature documentary about five ballet dancers from around the world and how they manage the balancing act of being ballerina mums
Produced and Directed by Eliza Schroeder
The world of the professional ballerina is an all-in life; it demands an attentionand focus and obsession which pushes everything else to the sidelines. Eliza Schroeder’s new documentary film shines an emotionally illuminating light on the difficulties facing ballet dancers who have now become mothers and whose lives have transformed. With a particular focus on the strength of mind and body required of the elite level of dance – the prima ballerinas – COLLIDING FORCES follows five dancers from around the world on their journey of physical and mental agony and ecstasy as we share the sacrifices they must make in order to continue to thrive and succeed in a highly competitive profession whilst also building and nurturing a family.
Earlier this year, the film had its world premiere at the world renowned Royal Opera House in London, followed by a Q&A led by journalist Lyndsey Winship with director Eliza Schroeder and spotlighted-dancers Tara-Brigitte Bhavnani (Royal Ballet) and Begona Cao (ex-Principal at English National Ballet).
The film also follows acclaimed dancer and entrepreneur Mary Helen Bowers (Ex-NYC Ballet, Owner Ballet Beautiful) who trained and prepared Natalie Portman for the movie THE BLACK SWAN as well as the lives of Karina Gonzalez (the first Hispanic Principal at Houston Ballet) and Miyako Yoshida (Artistic Director at the New National Theatre Tokyo and former Principal at the Royal Ballet) who are also featured in the film.







