Philanthropist and dance patron Anne Bass has produced and directed her first movie, called "Dancing Across Borders," about the true story of a young Cambodian man's rise in the city's ballet scene.

Bass met Sokvannara "Sy" Sar in Cambodia and helped the man come to New York City to become a world-class ballet dancer.

"Obviously the boy inspired me," says Bass. "I saw him on my first trip to Cambodia with the World Monument Fund and he was performing in the temple that the fund was restoring and he was absolutely astonishing as a performer. Totally charismatic, he had complete natural ability as a dancer. Very musical, just very, very natural.

"I didn't really think of him at the time, you know, bringing him to the United States, but once I got back to New York his performance and his talent kept coming back to me," continues Bass. "I actually was dreaming about it and I kept thinking how really sad it would be to leave that talent unrealized."

Bass has a solid background and strong love for ballet.

"I studied ballet ever since I was a child. I still take a ballet class every day," says Bass. "About 20 years ago, I started becoming involved with the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet, and now so many dancers and choreographers are friends of mine."

Sy's charisma inspires Bass.

"It wasn't that he had any ballet technique, because he had never even heard of ballet before. He did have something that [ballet dancer Mikhail] Baryshnikov had, which is he projects to an audience," says Bass. "Since that time, I've seen that he can be one of many people on a stage but your eye just goes to him. There's just something about his commanding space."

Whether or not you're interested in ballet, you should still see this very inspiring film this weekend at the Quad Cinema on 13th Street in Manhattan.