Angelin Preljocaj

Angelin Preljocaj is a French choreographer, dancer, and filmmaker whose work bridges classical ballet and contemporary movement. Born in 1957 in the Paris region, Preljocaj trained in classical ballet before studying contemporary dance with Karin Waehner and working in association with the Merce Cunningham approach. In 1984, he founded Ballet Preljocaj, establishing a company that would become central to French dance.

Preljocaj's long association with the Paris Opera produced landmark works, most notably *Le Parc* (1994), a piece that weaves Mozart and Enlightenment references into a contemporary score. The work exemplifies his signature language: classically legible partnering interrupted by angular lines, sudden surges, and sustained sensual momentum. This vocabulary—breaking the continuity of classical form while preserving its clarity—became distinctive across his choreography.

Beyond the stage, Preljocaj has been prolific as a filmmaker and choreographer for film. His works for screen include *Snow White* (2009), *Polina, Danser sa vie* (2018), and *Nuit Romaine* (2022), extending his narrative and movement investigations into cinematic form. Through both company work and film, Preljocaj has developed a practice that treats dance as a language capable of theatrical storytelling and visual complexity.