The gruelling dedication of Olga Smirnova, prima ballerina
Channel: 99 – Short Documentaries
Date: 2019-09-23

What does it take to become a prima ballerina?

In this intimate film, we follow Olga Smirnova, a rising star at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. It’s a story about the gruelling dedication and sacrifices a young ballerina makes to see her dreams come to fruition.

You’re 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.

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.