My friend Maia on Vimeo

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1. My friend Maia

3 months ago

Shot in Fire Island, New York, this film (4min. 23 sec) captures the secrets of eternal youth as Maia Helles, a Russian ballet dancer turns 95 but still remains resolutely independent, healthy and as fit as a forty year old. Made by Julia Warr, artist and film maker met Maia on a plane 4 years ago and became utterly convinced by the benefits of her daily exercise routine, which Maia perfected, together with her Mother, over 60 years ago, long before exercise classes were ever invented. (2011)

Film by Julia Warr
Music by Lola Perrin

juliawarr.com

Credits

233 Likes

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Angus phillips 1 month ago

beautiful
Paul Gordon 1 month ago

the simplicity of your music, framing and presentation directly and lovingly reflects her philosophy at the end. Nice.
Lines of Beauty 1 month ago

So beautiful and so perfect for my blog Lines of Beauty about embracing aging, instead of dreading it, one wrinkle at a time.
Lines of Beauty 1 month ago

P.S. Thank you Julia.
robert mazze 1 month ago

Wonderful!
Suzi Banks Baum 1 month ago

This is gorgeous! Posted on FB and would like to use it for my outofthemouthsofbabes.org/ project. Will let you know and ask permission. xo Suzi
salty snack studios 1 month ago

Bravo!
Philip Clement 1 month ago

Julia - ... superb, breath stopping breath inspiring, exquisitely done portrait of Maia. You are tender with her but you still surprise her, all lovingly revealing what a gem she truly is. You had a BEAUTIFUL subject and you did a BEAUTIFUL job. Thank you so much.
jams 1 month ago

what a wonderful piece. and peace!
thank you, Julia
julia warr 1 month ago

Thank you ALL.
I am seeing Maia tomorrow for a cup of tea. She is so delighted that you can appreciate what she has achieved.
A huge hug from her too...
SAE Institute Amsterdam 1 month ago

amazing video. the atmosphere is brilliant. Which music piece did you use from Lola Perrin?
Gianni Lo Piccolo 1 month ago

Very emotional, thank you for sharing this!
claire Thomasina J 1 month ago

I love this. Such simplicity and beauty. Everything about it is a work of art.
kb 1 month ago

such a souful film !

just so you know we added this piece to "the first time" channel vimeo.com/channels/262185
Veronica Alice 1 month ago

Very beautiful filming and story telling.
Dwaine 1 month ago

Well you have me in tears the true simplicty of life so many miss ... I have to play this in my show .... Please it is so well done
Groove Quantize 1 month ago

Maia is MY definition of inspiration, beauty and all that is right in this world. Thank you so much for this tender look at such an amazing lady. x Alison Cole
Jamie Rosanna Dorig 1 month ago

Gorgeous!!!
D. A. Hoskins 1 month ago

beautiful.
Pam Kalian 1 month ago

simply lovely. there's something about ballet & learning body awareness that shows in her movements; gracefulness & a strong core!
Rana Faure 1 month ago

breathtaking in it's simplicity. she is an inspiration, this is my aspiration. you captured it beautifully. thank you!
Arma Kaan 1 month ago

What a wonderful friend Maia has in Julie. What a wonderful friend Julie has in Maia!
Six Months to Live 1 month ago

Stunning! So powerful. What beautiful music to share this woman's life.
Michael Lasoff 1 month ago

Julia, This is such a moving documentary for me. My mother was a Russian dancer devoted to dance to late in her life. I had tears in my eyes looking at this. A perfect little film! Interesting that you are a film-maker that paints. I have been a painter all my life and just started film-making about a year ago. I wish you success in all your endeavors!
julia warr 3 weeks ago

Thank you so much Michael. Good luck to you too!
Julie F 1 month ago

Julia - what a beautiful woman, video, and music. Nicely done! Thank you for sharing Maia and your talents with us.
Carlos A. Morelli 1 month ago

Great! Thanks a lot Julia.
cami brunjes 4 weeks ago

I would love to learn her daily exercise routine. If I could be that limber and fit at 95, it will be awesome. She is an inspiration like my amazing grandma, who will be 99 this year.
Raquel Claudino 4 weeks ago

So beautiful!! It made my day. Thank you
julia warr 3 weeks ago

Thank you everyone....we are making more Maia films...ready end next week.....hopefully!
Lines of Beauty 3 weeks ago

terrific! thank you Julia.
Vaughan Greene 3 weeks ago

so inspiring, thank you
Brian Lapsley 3 weeks ago

Truly lovely.
Abe Perlstein 3 weeks ago

Julia, This beautiful piece brought forth a welling of emotion and tears of joy. Recently, a 99-year-old friend of mine passed. Maia's life mirrored my friend who ate healthy, got exercise, and kept busy in her garden. 'Looking forward to seeing the next installement.
Eilis Boyle 2 weeks ago

Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you
Aino Yrjänä 1 week ago

Really beautiful film :) Thank you for making and sharing this! Best wishes to Maia, she's absolutely inspiring.
Ross Moonie 1 week ago

Thank you Julia.
I've really enjoyed your sensitive video several times already (and while in far away places) with I'm sure more times to come.
You've "caught" the soul of Maia's cottage as well as her there in her element - a wonderful achievement!
julia warr 5 days ago

thank you Ross
EdBotsko 5 days ago

What an inspiration. I'm not 95 yet, but I often feel "not up to it today"... Here, we get to see the beautiful results of just doing it.
Reminds me of the quote by Pablo Casale on his 90th birthday.... Q: Why do you still practice 3 hours a day? Ans: Because, when I do, I feel like I get just a little better...
barbara heile 12 hours ago

thank you for making and sharing this julia.
what an inspiration. so beautiful to live this life in this way.