The Rite of Spring the winter of 1909–10, in close association with Fokine who was choreographing "The Firebird". During this period Stravinsky made the acquaintance of Nijinsky who, although not dancing in the ballet, was a keen observer of its development. Stravinsky was uncomplimentary when recording his first impressions of the dancer, observing that he seemed immature and gauche for his age (he was 21). On the other hand, Stravinsky found Diaghilev an inspiration, "the very essence of a great personality". "The Firebird" was premiered on 25 June 1910, with Tamara Karsavina in the main role, and was a great public success. This ensured
Rite of Spring (film) also remembered for "a furious apocalyptic montage that links Christ's death to the violence and lunacy of the Vietnam era". Rite of Spring (film) Rite of Spring (Portuguese: Acto da Primavera) is a 1963 Portuguese film directed by Manoel de Oliveira, his second feature. The poet and director António Reis was the film's assistant director, and his influence can be felt deeply throughout it. (The film was included in the film program "The School of Reis" in 2012.) The inhabitants of Curalha, a small village in western Portugal, perform the Passion of Jesus every year according to text from about