Coda in motion. Dancer
With astonishing strength and poise, Sergei Polunin burst onto the dance scene, becoming the youngest principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in London at the age of 19. Three years later, at the height of his career, he left the stage on the brink of personal destruction.
General admission: €3
Free for Friends of the Museum
Stephen Cantor, 2016, United Kingdom (85 min). Original version with Spanish subtitles (VOSE)
The film is an unprecedented look at the life of the young man who made ballet go viral, transforming the image we have of classical dance.
The James Dean of the ballet world
Daily Telegraph
The most talented dancer of his generation
The Observer
As famous for his scandals as for his performances
The Sunday Times
A dancing animal
Monica Mason – former director of the Royal Ballet
A surprising documentary about the magnetic Polunin
Los Angeles Times
DANCER
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Directed by Steve Cantor (Oscar nominee) With the collaboration of David Lachapelle
Running time: 85 minutes Original version with Spanish subtitles Not recommended for children under 7 years of age
Steve Cantor gives us an intimate portrait of Polunin's life and transports us to the unique world of dance in which he lives. The documentary features home videos showing Polunin as a child training to be an Olympic gymnast, in-depth interviews with his friends and family and Sergei himself, and previously unseen private footage recorded by his parents. Two audiovisual pieces specifically dedicated to showcasing the dancer's extraordinary physical and emotional dimension form the climax of the film. One was conceived by Steve Cantor himself and the other by photographer and director David Lachapelle. The first piece is a choreography filmed at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London as part of "Project Polunin." The second piece, filmed in Hawaii, shows Sergei dancing to Hozier's song "Take Me to Church." It was leaked to the press during production and in just two months, generated more than 10 million views on YouTube. |
INTERVIEW WITH SERGEI POLUNIN
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Dancers usually have a neat body, but you have many tattoos. What is behind all of them? When I was little, I used to draw pictures on my body, so I knew I was going to get tattoos. I liked and respected people who had them, especially on their faces or hands, because to me they represented freedom. They're not the kind of people who judge others. Dance schools have really strict rules, and one of them is no tattoos, so I guess I'm breaking the rules. But I feel good about it.
When you were younger, what did you want to be? I have always wanted to be a boxer.
He can be considered the "bad boy" of the ballet world. Did he decide to create that image to challenge the norms? I took advantage of it. It was more of a media thing, but I decided to go along with it, even though it actually made everything more difficult because, as a result of that image, no one wanted to work with me. Large companies preferred to work with someone more reliable and predictable. I was basically digging my own grave.
What has been your biggest challenge to date? I have many goals in mind. Sometimes it's difficult because I still want to dance. I take dance classes every day, but I also want to study acting and work in the world of choreography. I'm starting my own company called "Project Polunin" to help dancers with their careers and continue to promote dance. I'm also going to appear in a movie. It's a challenge because there's so much I want to do that's so extremely exciting...
During your time with the Royal Ballet, you felt that you would reach your full potential with the company and always strove to achieve more. Is that still the case? Right now, I am where I would have liked to be when I was 19. Looking back, it was the media that made me out to be a bad guy instead of listening to what I was really telling them. I also forgot to listen to myself about what I had originally decided to do. But now I am doing what I was trying to do back then and what I truly believe in. I love creating, and there are many exciting things to pursue as an artist. I am on the right path. I just hope it won't take too long to get there.
Any advice for young dancers who are just starting out? I would tell them to get a manager or agent and also to work hard but make sure they live too.
What do you think the future holds for ballet? Dance is truly important for everyone because it is international and speaks a language that is understood in every country. I believe that a big change is coming. I hope that the industry reaches the same level as sports or cinema because I think it is possible. Soccer was not at the level it is today 15 years ago, so I am looking forward to something big. |
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Date
January 25, 2018
Time
7:30 p.m.