Yet despite this rigorous attention, we see that uniformity isn't the result or desired product. Perfection and the ability to shine above others is still valued and we look at what makes the five women different, worthy of being prima ballerinas. Contrary to the fears often voiced by Americans, that rigid discipline only produces conformity, we see a classical ballerina, a more colorful ballerina and variations in between.
We see Alina Somova, first as a 17-year-old senior, preparing for her final performance as a student at the academy. She has attracted much attention already and she will become a member of the Mariinsky Theatre. A year ahead of her is Evgenia Obraztsova, who has already crossed over into popular culture. She has been given a part in French director Cédric Klapisch's Russian Dolls.
We also see Svetlana Zakharova whose style is very classical, and Diana Vishneva — a less traditional ballerina, but she has an electric stage presence and is shown in an appearance at the Opéra Garnier in Paris.
Because the career of a ballerina is short — most retire before they reach 40 — we see how quickly they must rise and how easy it is for them to fall. Ulyana Lopatkina, the oldest of the five, was injured and took two years off from ballet to recover and to have a child. Now we see her attempting to regain her form at the Mariinsky.
Ballerina: A Portrait of Five Exceptional Russian Ballerinas does a good job of showing the intensity and brief career of a prima ballerina and how the end results can be different interpretations of grace and beauty of movement all stemming from the same tradition and from individual talent and dedication.
Ballerina: A Portrait of Five Exceptional Russian Ballerinas is already available on DVD where the title is Ballerina: An Intimate Portrait of Five Ballerinas from the Kirov In English, French, and Russian with English subtitles.
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