McVicar's Bollywood-inspired staging includes highly choreographed dancing for Cleopatra, including "Da Tempste" in jodhpurs and "Tu la mia stella sei (Oh star of my desire)" in a flapper dress with an umbrella.

WSJ: De Niese steps into Met 'Cesare' on short notice

Movies being screened include Drew Barrymore's "Whip It, " Mia Hansen-Love's Cannes winner "The Father of My Children" and "Lourdes" by Jessica Hausner, a 2009 Venice Golden Lion nominee.

CNN: 'Bird's' film festival puts women first