8 March 2019 10:45

Watch the trailer for Carlos Acosta's biographical film, Yuli

Yuli, starring Carlos Acosta as himself, tells the story of how Acosta grew up in Cuba and become the world-renowned ballet dancer he is today.

Carlos Acosta CBE stars as himself in this upcoming biographical film depicting the ballet's dancer youth in Cuba and rise to stardom. Acosta stars as himself in the film, with two younger actors playing Acosta as a child. Here's the official synopsis:

"The director Icíar Bollaín presents the story of the Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, a legend on the dance world and the first black dancer to perform some of the most famous ballet roles. A dancer who did not want to dance."

Icíar Bollaín is a Spanish film director who previously directed Even the Rain (2010) starring Gael Garcia-Bernal. She directs Yuli with a script written by frequent collaborator Paul Laverty, who last year won a BAFTA for Best British Film for I, Daniel Blake (2016). Laverty also received a BAFTA nomination for Best Original Screenplay for that film.

Laverty's script for Yuli was adapted from Acosta's own autobiography, No Way Home. Acosta's direct involvement in the movie, playing himself, is unusual for biographical films - usually an outside actor is hired to depict the person - but Acosta is an Olivier-award nominated performer himself, so it makes sense.

Plus, he's stated numeral times that as he grows older (he's now 45), he wants to take on new challenges and explore new avenues as an artist. Acting certainly fits that bill, and what better way to begin your film acting career than by playing yourself?

Yuli is out in UK cinemas on 12 April 2019.