Jean Babilée was one of the great dancers of the 20th century. With his airborne technique, reckless intensity and exotic face, he was the Nureyev of France.
Known as the “enfant terrible of dance” from the early days of his career, he was unpredictable, eternally boyish and a free spirit. He had narrowly escaped being sent to Auschwitz during the Second World War and fought in the French Resistance. Fame did not interest him, even less a career. His passion was dancing, on stage or alone on a beach in India. His body had an extraordinary natural athleticism honed by arduous hours of training.
Always in demand, he would simply turn his attention elsewhere if a project did not interest him: to hitch-hiking in the