Ballerina - 2006 TV5 Documentary

In the grand tradition of the Ballets Russes comes a portrait of five Russian ballerinas from the Mariinsky Theatre (also known as the Kirov), this film gives insight to the lives of five ballerinas, all at different points in their careers. Looking at the operations of the Vagonova Academy and the Mariinsky Theatre, the life of a ballerina is disclosed. Behind any great ballerina lies the discipline and rigour that comes from decades of training and practice. Superstars like Nijinsky, Baryshnikov and Pavlova established the reputation of Russian dancers as the best in the world. The five dancers profiled in this revealing film are tough, insightful and exceptionally talented; onstage they reveal no hint of the sweat, pain and hard work of the rehearsal studio. From Swan Lake to Romeo and Juliet, from the backstage studio to performing on stages around the world, Ballerina captures the sublime beauty of ballet, in all its resplendent glory. Featuring: Altynai Asylmuratova: Artistic Director Vaganova Ballet Academy (at the time) Valery Gergiev: Mariinsky Theater Artistic Director Makhar Vaziev: Director Mariinsky Theater Ballet Company Manuel Legris: Paris National Opera Principal Dancer Pierre Lacotte: Choreographer Ludmila Safronova: Teacher at Vaganova Ballet Academy Olga Chenchilova: Ballet Master Olga Moiseyeva: Ballet Teacher Andrian Fadeyev: Principal Dancer Igor Zelensky: Principal Dancer Diana Vishneva; Ballerina Svetlana Zakharova: Ballerina Ulyana Lopatkina: Ballerina Alina Somova: Ballerina Evgenia Obraztsova: Ballerina Alina Somova: Ballerina Jayme Ratzer: Ballerina