Returning to his experimental film roots in "Nijinsky," Paul Cox presents his most audacious film to date: an impressionistic portrait of Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.

   Cox mined the depths of Nijinsky's diaries to reveal the passionate and often tortured soul of this consummate artist. Sir Derek Jacobi expertly reads these excerpts--the closest portrayal of the artist the film provides--displaying a skill with inflection matched only by Cox's fulsome imagery--poetic and abstract--which underscore Nijinsky's points. The film becomes a rich interplay of Jacobi's reading, Cox's visual associations, and the various recreations of Nijinsky's ballet performances. This is a comprehensive and provocative film--one that pushes the boundaries of biography, and challenges its audience.    Starring Sir Derek Jacobi. Directed and written by Paul Cox. Produced by William Marshall and Kevin Lucas. A Wellspring release. Biography. Unrated. Running time: 95 min.