In the grand tradition of the Ballet Russes (the VIFF's 2005 runaway hit) comes director Bertrand Normand's portrait of five different Russian ballerinas from the Mariinski Theatre, formerly known as the Kirov Ballet. Behind the ravishing performances--and there are many on offer here--lies the discipline and rigour involved in the training of some of Russia's pre-eminent dancers (including Ulyana Lopatkina, Diana Vichneva, Svetlana Zakharova, Alina Somova and Evgenia Obraztsova).

The history of the ballet is the history of Russia; past superstars (both male and female) such as Vaslav Nijinsky, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Anna Pavlova established the reputation of Russian dancers as some of the best in the world. A ballerina's career is often as meteoric as it is brief: a leap towards stardom, a tour en l'air if you will, and would-be ballerinas begin their training in earnest at age ten. The ethereal creatures of silk and steel that glitter and glissade onstage seem worlds away from the sweat, pain and hard work of the rehearsal studio--but one cannot exist without the other. The adage that one must suffer to be great comes easily to mind here, but despite the rigidity and discipline of their training, each dancer profiled is uniquely individual, tough, insightful and exceptionally talented. From Swan Lake to Romeo and Juliet, scenes from some of the most famous ballets of all time are given breathtaking life, as the women perform around the world. From the rehearsal room to the rococo lushness of the Mariinski stage, Ballerina captures the sublime glamour of the form, in all its resplendent glory.

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The VIFF gratefully acknowledges the support of the Consulate General for France in Vancouver for their help in presenting the Spotlight on France series and for their invaluable assistance in facilitating the participation of French filmmakers at the Festival.

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