User Reviews

Legendary dancer Carlos Acosta stars in his own biography. Raised by a controlling but loving father he is forced to start a ballet school even though he hates the idea. A coming of age story with a strong connection to the time and place, makes for unique viewing.

Carlos Acosta has co-written the multilayered script with the Scottish writer Paul Laverty. It is mostly focused on Acosta's childhood and his journey to accepting his true calling. The film is also a bittersweet testament to his father, a man with a turbulent personality who never stopped believing in his son's talent.

Authentic and larger than life, and full of colourful scenery, the film always has another wonder in store. Slightly too long for an independent production it still has a coherent story to tell, about the purest of diamond found in the toughest of places.

I do not care much about ballet although my education had ensured I know a lot about it. YULI has plenty of ballet on display but it is organic to the storytelling. Yes, there are dance sequences for those who enjoy them, but for those who don't they are short and inventive enough to be fun.

Here is an extraordinary life story told without bitterness or regrets. There's gratitude instead. And this is how it should be.

A biopic as hard as beautiful of Carlos Acosta, a child raised by an old-school but loving father and then a well-known black dancer who first did not want to dance.

Many tender, heart-wrenching scenes, a beautiful photography including the alleys of Cuba, good actors: 6/7 of 10.

Based on Carlos Acosta biography, this movie manages to nicely tell its path from a black and poor cuban to the acclaimed principal dancer he became. Center-part is of course Yuli, but we do follow its family through time and that has a nice touch to it (eventhough i do regret one of her sister evolution is not better explained). We of course have ballet scenes but they are well integrated in the story and it is not required to be a connoisseur.

One of the main forces of this movie is that it treats the topic between talent, work and happiness, and that brings this biopic to another level.

Written by Paul Laverty this is the story of Acosta's life: a loving yet brutally determined father, a schizophrenic sister, a poor childhood in Cuba, racism, career vs. family and becoming the principal dancer at the English National Ballet in London. Acosta recreates his own life, directing other dancers to play characters from that life with Acosta occasionally playing his own father. Like a child recreating its own past in order to feel comfortable within the known - or to change it - Acosta does it with dance.

This is a beautiful piece of work and takes us into the graceful world and mind of a man working through his demons with dance.

A semi-documentary trip through the career of the great Cuban dancer, Carlos Acosta, which doesn't seem sure whether it wants to be a drama-bio or a documentary, so it feels a little disjointed at times, however, it's an inspiring story. Acosta's rise from an underprivileged background in Cuba (the Cuban scenes are the highlight) to world stardom, his travails and struggles, and the evolution of his great talent. Yula is interesting, enjoyable viewing.

Amazing choreography, this film explores abstract emotions, fear, loneliness and lust.

I recommend it

Without a doubt one of the best movies i have ever seen in my life. It came at right time. Thank you cuba for this piece of art.

I love this movie so much. I can totally relate to Acosta.

Lovely movie, Especially if you enjoy dancing. Even without dancing, the story gives you everything you expect from a Biography/Drama.

This energetic account of the life of the electrifying Cuban never shies away from the truth about his tough upbringing

You don't have to love ballet or dance to appreciate this fine film. It weaves dance , stunningly performed by Acosta and his co-dancers in short, riveting bursts, in with the story of his childhood growing up in Cuba and into his adjustment to being in other countries as a young adult, leading eventually to world recognition. Acosta was pushed into dancing by his father, who was extremely tough on him and determined he should stick with a strict practice regime, but now he is grateful for that, as it led to his great passion for dance and the opportunities he later had to perform with the Cuban National Ballet as Principal Dancer and for a long period with Royal Ballet London as Principal Guest Dancer. He now has his own contemporary dance company, Acosta Danza which tours and performs internationally. Iciar Bollain has taken risks with this unique biopic, with its blend of narrative and dance, but for me and most of the critics whose reviews I've read, it works. It just means you need to shift with the film as it moves between the different stages of his life and the actors or dancers who are portraying him at that point. This bold directing combined with Paul Laverty's honest and heartfelt writing (he also wrote I Daniel Blake) makes for great teamwork and results in a truly compelling watch. Just a great shame that UK distribution confined the film to a couple of special screenings (followed by excellent Q&As with Acosta, Laverty and Bollain) and a ridiculously restricted screening run at selected cinemas. Why? This film deserved much wider screening (compare it with Germany, where it was in some 95 locations!). What is happening with foreign title distribution in this country? Don't get me started....Anyway, I feel that Yuli is a film well worth seeking out - and it's not too late to lobby your local cinema!

Nice movie! Can watch till the end..Dancing is superb!

Great movie cinema i can't wait for watching this. Nice presentation too.

I love it, its my favourite movie, he is soo good and soo cool, thank you for this

Legendary dancer Carlos Acosta stars in his own biography. Raised by a controlling but loving father he is forced to start a ballet school even though he hates the idea. A coming of age story with a strong connection to the time and place, makes for unique viewing.

I made the mistake of waiting so long to watch this masterpiece. This a coming of age story done right.

So many energy in this movie. I watch this many and many other time.

I didn't know at all the history of the dancer Carlos Acosta, this movie conducted me into a very suggestive personal story from when he was poor to his international success

The story is superb and the screenplay is very engaging. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Liked this movie a lot, really good, nice cast and production

After seeing this movie at one sitting I was fairly satisfied with myself. The acting was on per, Story was great, Cinematography was excellent. I would recommend this movie any day.

A great film , a perspective on talent , work and happiness through Art (in this case ballet ). Yuli is a masterpiece!