Bolshoi Theatre's prima ballerina Olga Smirnova, in her own words

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What does it take to become a prima ballerina? In this intimate film by director Michael Sugrue, we follow Olga Smirnova, a rising star at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. It’s a story about perseverance. The grueling dedication and sacrifices a young ballerina makes to see her dreams come to fruition.

Capturing the St. Petersburg native over two days, take take you inside Smirnova’s world, consumed with rehearsals and little time to breathe. Running on all cylinders, you witness her unwavering work ethic - dancing from dusk until dawn - and the lonely existence she leads, as a result. But she doesn’t seem to mind. She’s living her dream.

In 2013, she won the International Ballet Dance Open Award in the category of “Miss Expressive” and the “Spirit of Dance” award (“Rising Star” nomination) from Ballet magazine, as well as the prize of the International Dance Association Benois de la Danse for her performances of Nikia in La Bayadère, Aspichchia in The Pharaoh’s Daughter, Anastasia in Ivan the Terrible and the principal role in Diamonds of the ballet Jewels.

Smirnova made her debut with American Ballet Theatre in 2014 dancing Nikiya in La Bayadère. Please leave a comment about Olga Smirnova and share her story!

Camera and edit: Michael Sugrue
Producer: Fyodor Mozgoyov / The Key Productions
Score: Patricio José Sanchez, Steve Nossiter
Sound recordist: Philipp Starenko
Sound design: Michael Sugrue, Philipp Starenko
Assistant camera: Dima Solovyov
B camera operator: Ivan Markarov
Gaffer: Ilya Maximov
Special thanks: Olga Smirnova, Marina Kondratieva, Katerina Novikova, Michail Yarush and the entire staff of the Bolshoi Theatre.

CONTENT LICENSED FROM THE KEY PRODUCTIONS TO REALWOMEN/REALSTORIES. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT: [email protected]
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