This documentary film explores the life and artistry of American ballet star dancer and choreographer John Clifford. It’s an in depth assessment of what makes him unique and highly lauded in the ballet world, and the titans of dance that mentored and choreographed ballets on him, such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and many others. Furthermore, it examines the politics of the arts in Los Angeles, and the support his Los Angeles Ballet (the first fully professional ballet company in that city’s history), received from Hollywood heavyweights Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and others, and why the company was forced to close due to the direct influence of Nancy Reagan, “downtown” politics, and jealousy. 

​

Filmed at Manhattan Movement and Arts Centre in New York City and at the Align Ballet Method Studio in Los Angeles, the film features dancers Amiruddin Shah and Giana Bragger, a student. It includes excerpts from Clifford's ballets and showcases hands-on coaching with the dancers and an insightful conversations with John Clifford, featuring moderator Giana Bragger and Executive Producer, Erol Liguori.