At Cinema Without Borders we had the opportunity of interviewing VALÉRIE MÜLLER and famed French dancer/choreographer ANGELIN PRELJOCAJ, directors of the Polina in a phone interview and create a video from the audio of the interview and footage from the film.
Rigorously trained from an early age by a perfectionist instructor, Polina (played by Anastasia
Shevtsova, a professional dancer who has performed with Saint Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre)
is a promising classical ballet dancer. She is just about to join the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet
when she discovers contemporary dance, a revelation that throws everything into question on a
profound level. Diverting from her plan, she leaves all her exacting preparation behind and
moves to France to work with famous choreographer Liria Elsaj (played by Academy Award®winner
Juliette Binoche who has danced with London-based dancer/choreographer Akram
Khan). But once there she is quickly forced to grapple with the realization that determination
and hard work don’t always lead to success.
Other members of the cast include Niels Schneider (Xavier Dolan’s HEARTBEATS and I KILLED
MY MOTHER) and Jeremie Belingard (a star dancer with the Ballet de l’Opera de Paris, SAINT
LAURENT).
Directed by VALÉRIE MÜLLER and famed French dancer/choreographer ANGELIN PRELJOCAJ
Screenplay by VALÉRIE MÜLLER, based on the graphic novel by BASTIEN VIVÈS
Produced by DIDIER CRESTE and GAËLLE BAYSSIÈR
Starring JULIETTE BINOCHE, ANASTASIA SHEVTSOVA, VERONIKA ZHOVNYTSKA, NIELS SCHNEIDER,
and JEREMIE BELINGARD
World Premiere:
2016 Venice Film Festival Run Time:
112 minutes; Not Rated
Language: Russian and French
