Click here to listen to the interview (26:24)

The entire experience of making FIRST POSTION was an exercise in kismet for first-time director Bess Kargman. From happening upon the competition that became the subject of her documentary, to how she crossed paths with one of the dancers she most wanted to follow in her film, there is the undeniable sense that this was somehow meant to be. When I spoke with Kargman by phone on May 9, 2012, I wanted to start with the image that opens the film, of Aran Bell, an eleven-year-old as he bounced on a pogo stick while also jumping rope. This is obviously no ordinary kid. None of them are. Ranging in ages from 10 to 17, they are fierce when it comes to their dedication to coming as close to ballet perfection as the human body allows. Kargman and I talked about that, as well as how she, as a former dancer, could not only relate to the young dancers, but also get them to open up verbally when they are accustomed to expressing themselves with movement.