Dancing Across Borders

DANCING ACROSS BORDERSis a feature-length documentary about change, growth, and the powerful interaction of many talented people. Produced by Anne Bass and Catherine Tatge and directed by Anne Bass, DANCING ACROSS BORDERSpremiered at the 2009 Seattle Film Festival. In January 2000, Sokvannara (Sy) Sar was performing in a temple with a traditional Cambodian dance group when American dance patron Anne Bass saw him. His abilities made a strong impression on her and after she returned to America the memory of Sy’s performance lingered. After much deliberation she asked the World Monuments Fund, who helped sponsor Sy’s dance troupe, to contact his teacher and parents to see if Sy would like to visit America and audition in New York for the School of American Ballet (SAB) which is considered America’s premier ballet training academy. What unfolds is a tentative negotiation between Sy and the world of American ballet culture—and between Sy, Bass, and his new dance teacher, Olga Kostritzky.

The film follows Sy’s training and development as a dancer through footage that was originally made to inform his parents of his progress in America, and it offers a view behind the scenes of the world of ballet.

In addition the film follows Sy as he visits his parents and his old school of Khmer dance, and as he attempts to come to terms with the challenge of adapting to a new country while not losing touch with Cambodia. His story is one of growth, adaptation, and belonging as well as of the development of talent and the mastery of an art form. It is hoped that his story will be an inspiration to all young people and especially those of Cambodia as they struggle to regain their identity and hope for a better future following the lingering upheaval of the Khmer Rouge era.



After about a 30 min meeting yesterday with my boss and two co-workers, I sat at my desk... in total awww of the job that was given to me! Excitement, fear, happiness.... I couldn't wait to get started on this project!! This doc premiere will be the most amazing learning experience for me. When I heard SY's story, I couldn't help but feel a connection... a young boy from Cambodia who's dream was to become a dancer... this is going to be amazing!

xoxo Lil J