Vickey Jewson Shares Insights on “Ballet-Fu” Stunt Style in Her Action Film Featuring Maddie Ziegler and Lana Condor at SXSW Studio
PRETTY LETHAL: A Dance of Survival Amidst Danger
In an intriguing blend of ballet and action, "Pretty Lethal," directed by Vicky Jewson, presents a gripping story of five ballerinas facing peril in a remote forest. When they find refuge in an unsettling roadside inn, their years of rigorous training become vital for their survival. The film takes an innovative approach, transforming the elegance of dance into a means of self-defense.
The screenplay, penned by Kate Freund, features a star-studded cast, including Avantika, Millicent Simmonds, Iris Apatow, Maddie Ziegler, Lana Condor, and Uma Thurman.
Director Jewson shared insights into the creative process, stating, “In order to create ‘ballet-fu’ action that we created, we really did start from ballet. We did a lot of work in creating a glossary, a dictionary of fight moves. And the key thing within our team was for every stunt double, we also had a ballet double. They were mainly from the Royal Opera in London. They gave their blood, sweat and tutus."
Jewson emphasized the importance of authenticity in action sequences, explaining, “For me, what was really inspiring was that right at the beginning of the process of the movie, I wanted to understand, because I feel great action is really rooted in authenticity. And if you can really believe your characters are in jeopardy, and then you can believe that they’ve sourced and found this ‘ballet-fu’… that was something that really culminated in the bar fight.”
As the narrative unfolds, the ballerinas must rely on their unique skills to navigate the challenges that arise, incorporating their art form into a thrilling survival story.
