Jiří Kylián Forgotten Memories - Mémoires d'oubliettes

A moving documentary of a visionary artist, and a rare glimpse into the life, creativity, and enduring legacy of one of dance's true masters, this documentary will give you a preview of what’s to come at West Australian Ballet in 2027.
As we leap into our 75th year and on what will be Jirí Kylián’s 80th birthday we are thrilled to showcase his extrodinary works, connecting us to the global conversation of dance.

Celebrated as one of the most influential choreographers of our time, Jirí Kylián has created more than one hundred works, many of which have become enduring classics in the repertoires of the world's leading dance companies.

Written by Christian Dumais-Lvowski and directed by Don Kent, this intimate documentary traces Kylián's extraordinary artistic journey. Filmed in The Hague, Prague, Paris, and Monte Carlo, it follows his path from his early training at the Prague Conservatory, through exile after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, to his groundbreaking years in Stuttgart and his 36-year tenure as choreographer and artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater, where he helped establish the company as a global leader in contemporary dance.

Told through the voices of Kylián and his wife and lifelong artistic collaborator, Sabine Kupferberg, the film combines rare archival footage, behind-the-scenes rehearsal moments, and powerful performances from some of his most iconic works, including Symphony of Psalms, Silent Cries, Petite Mort, Bella Figura, and Mémoires d'Oubliettes.

Doors open: 5pm

Running time: 52 minutes