17 - THE BOLSHOI SYSTEM – BALLET, POWER & POLITICS

Captured in the year and a half leading up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, this documentary is a portrait of Russian society before the war of aggression and an examination of the role Russian culture played in the preparations for war. Against the backdrop of current events, it deals with the individual relationships of artists within the political system. Through conversations with Olga Smirnova, prima ballerina and the only member of the ensemble to leave Russia, and Wadim Schurawljow, former head of artistic programming at the Bolshoi Theater, this film offers a unique perspective into Russia's esteemed theater.

Producer
Kinescope Film GmbH
Co-production
ZDF/ARTE
Country
Germany
Directed by
Philipp Mangold & Radik Golokov
Camera
Florian Lampersberger
Duration
83 minutes
Year of production
2023