Bolshoi Babylon

Directed by Nick Read & Mark Franchetti

On January 17, 2013, Sergei Filin, Ballet Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, was cornered outside his home and attacked with acid. He suffered third degree burns and lost sight in one eye. Over the following year, as the company struggles to regain its footing, the filmmakers gain remarkable access to what occurs behind the scenes and on stage. In Russia, ballet has long been intertwined with politics. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is interviewed in the film saying, “The Bolshoi is our secret weapon that we send now and then to the US, the UK, and other countries. Bolshoi Babylon offers a complicated portrait of modern Russia where artists strive for perfection against ruthless forces.

Duration:
86 minutes

Languages:
English

Country of origin:
Great Britain

Year of production:
2015