Directors: Pat Buckley, Bobby Ciraldo, Kevin Layne, Andrew Swant
Executive Producer: William Shatner
Starring: William Shatner, Ben Folds, Henry Rollins
William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet is a documentary about legendary choreographer Margo Sappington’s quest to create a ballet set to the music of William Shatner’s critically acclaimed album, Has Been.
The film explores the genesis of this unique artistic collaboration by fusing the music, poetry, and dance of the finished ballet with interviews of William Shatner, Ben Folds, Margo Sappington, and Henry Rollins. Shatner hosts the film and also acted as Executive Producer.
Joe Leydon of Variety writes that Gonzo Ballet “adroitly intercuts between scenes of dance preparation and performance, interviews with Folds and others involved with the original album — and, most important, earnestly expressed recollections and recitations by Shatner himself. During the pic’s unexpectedly moving final scenes, Shatner comes across as at once playful and pensive, amused and unguarded.”
In a recent interview Shatner spoke about the unique experience he had working on the film, “It was an odd idea when I was approached by Milwaukee to make the ballet, and then it seemed to me a good idea to record it on film … and lo and behold, there was this oddity that I titled Gonzo Ballet. And I’m out there pushing it on the film circuit, which I’ve never done before. It’s all a curious experience.”
The World Premiere was mentioned in The New York Times and took place at the 40th Anniversary of the Nashville International Film Festival. The sold-out show received a standing ovation, positive reviews, and won the 2009 NaFF President’s Impact Award. Shatner was in attendance along with his wife Elizabeth, Ben Folds, and Sheryl Crow.
The film screened at the Marbella International Film Festival in Spain, where it won the Best Documentary award. Shatner traveled to Spain to attend the festival and accept the award. In 2012 the film won a Silver Telly Award in the film category.
The film was released through EPIX (Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, MGM), Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, and Sundance Now. Shout Factory released the film on Blu-ray in 2020.
On April Fool’s Day 2013, Netflix created a new genre called “Surreal Ballets Based on a William Shatner Album” and listed the film 50 times in the “Recommended for You” section of over 30 million users.
REVIEWS
“Shatner supplements his trademark self-mockery with heartfelt sincerity, emotional openness and wisps of wistful melancholy in a surprisingly revealing doc that suggests the full depths of his self-awareness and — no kidding — artistic aspirations.”
— Joe Leydon, Variety
“When the lights went up, there were cheers. Shatner comes across as a true original.”
— Mark Rabinowitz, indieWIRE
“A terrific film … Gonzo shows Shatner and his craft in a revelatory new light.”
— The A.V. Club
“The best part is Shatner himself, who reveals a heartfelt soul. It feels like this is the genuine man behind the myth.”
— Nashville Scene
“An unexpectedly poignant film.”
— San Diego City Beat
“Exhilarating … Unexpected lyrics coupled with lively dancing makes William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet a joy.”
— The Providence Journal
“One of the biggest events at the festival was easily the world premiere of William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet. It shows a side to William Shatner that most of us have never seen before.”
— Mania
“Despite the jaunty nature of the title, William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet is a profoundly bittersweet work.”
— The Toronto Star
“Surprisingly engaging … Refreshingly thoughtful and candid.”
— Nashville Scene
“Deep emotional territory, but there was no shortage of comical moments.”
— The Beacon Herald
“The Shatner-Folds-Sappington trio received two thumbs up from fest-goers and Shatner fans alike.”
— San Diego News Network
“A lot of fun.”
— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“It’s intimate, it’s genuine, and it gives us one thing we weren’t really expecting from a washed-up former Captain Kirk: Inspiration.”
— Nashvillest
“Perhaps the strangest (and maybe even the most fun) documentary at the festival.”
— Times-Standard
“William Shatner followed his intuition and boldly went where he had never gone before.”
— Stratford Gazette
“Every dance number they do … shows the heart and soul of the dancer thrown into every move, every lift, and every turn. I recommend that everyone who appreciates creativity in all mediums see this movie.”
— San Diego Film Festival Review
“After decades as a camp figure, Shatner has really pulled off an impressive comeback late in life, earning a new respect for his acting and his music.”
— Monsters & Rockets
“Meet William Shatner, sans the iconic mask, in this fascinating documentary … scenes of dancing are melded with those of the actor openly discussing his artistic frustrations and the making of a record that’s full of surprise and candor.”
— Netflix
“I loved just about every moment of this film. There’s a fascinating sort of openness in William Shatner … He seems a truly happy man, a man confident with his legacy and legitimately curious and thoroughly engaged in the world around him. This documentary captures exactly that spirit and energy in Shatner. It’s a wonderful documentary because Shatner’s energy and honesty is almost infectious. There’s an almost palpable glee in Margo Sappington’s eyes when she talks about the ballet that Shatner inspired. And Sappington creates a ballet that’s intriguing and weird and tremendously moving. William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet was a moving, fascinating, wonderful documentary that did exactly what art is supposed to do. It really shook me up. A celebratory film of the highest order. Do yourself a favor, make the decision to let this one into your life.”
— Daniel Elkin & Jason Sacks, Comics Bulletin