The Legend of the Five Team's Next Step

by FilmInk Staff

“The Red Shoes is written with genuine characters and themes that delve into the importance of the strength and bond between dance families and friends. We aim to produce a world within The Red Shoes that feels grounded in reality, showing, on one hand, the challenges, stress and pain that comes with ballet, but on the other the freedom, love, and acceptance that can also be found through dance,” said The Red Shoes: Next Step Director/Producer Jesse A’hern and Co-Director Joanne Samuel.

Living up to its title, the film is the follow-up to surprise family fantasy hit The Legend of the Five, which Samuel directed and A’Hern produced, and which starred Lauren Esposito, who also plays a key role in The Red Shoes: Next Step. Samuel and A’Hern are mother and son, and keeping it in the family is Executive Producer Tanya Esposito, Lauren’s mother, who also produced The Legend of the Five.

“The Red Shoes explores themes through dance that are universal across all cultures and ages,” said Tanya Esposito. “Being predominantly a female lead cast and with the collaboration of a female director, we feel that the story’s foundation of friendship represents an authentic female voice that audiences will relate to.”

The Red Shoes: Next Step follows high schooler and talented dancer Sam, who rebels against the discipline required for her to succeed following an unexpected accident, and must rebuild her confidence and embrace her grief in order to reignite her passion for dance.

Starring in the film is two-time gold medalist ballet dancer Juliet Doherty (High Strung: Free Dance, Driven to Dance) as Sam, and Lauren Esposito (The Conjuring 2, the lead in The Legend of the Five) as her rebellious best friend Eve. The supporting cast is a mix of talented dancers and emerging local acting talent, including professional ballet dancer Joel Burke, Paris Opera Ballet dancer Primrose Kern, Carolyn Bock (Neighbours, Wentworth), Meitta White (Conspiracy 365), Ashleigh Rose (Dance Academy) and Nicholas Andrianankos (The Legend of the Five).

“The Red Shoes comes at a unique time where there is a void of dance-centred films aimed at a younger audience,” added Tanya Esposito. “The film will also appeal to a wider demographic who will appreciate the complexities of our professionally choreographed dance scenes. It has been a real pleasure working with a young multi-talented cast and I believe The Red Shoes showcases the high calibre of young dancers Australia has to offer.”

Behind the scenes, Australian ballet dancer Daniel Gaudiello is choreographing, whilst Kent Marcus (Unsound, Beast No More) is Director of Photography, with Pivot Pictures distributing the film in Australia and New Zealand.