Enter the world of dance with the new documentary by director Martin Kubala, which attempts to uncover the meaning and essence of the oldest art. The film examines the origins, evolution, and present of dance. It will also reveal how dance evolved into a theatre form with rigid rules, considered the pinnacle of dance mastery.
The documentary follows one season (2023/2024) of the Czech National Ballet, a leading European troupe that collaborates with the world’s best choreographers and dancers and performs on prestigious international stages.
The key to this fascinating story are interviews with three main protagonists. The first is Filip Barankiewicz, the Ballet’s current artistic director and former principal soloist of the Stuttgarter Ballett. We follow his everyday routine full of training, rehearsals, evening performances, and moments that are part of an artistic director’s life.
The second is Adam Zvonař, the current principal soloist of the Czech National Ballet, who is seen not just on stage, but also in his civilian life, for instance, in a rehabilitation centre and during a special show for toddlers with his two-year-old daughter.
The last protagonist is Elena Dombrowski, an up-and-coming company member who has her whole artistic life ahead of her. Her story is also intertwined with shots from the rehearsals, first public performances, as well as moments from her everyday life.
The documentary also features celebrated icons of ballet, people whose artistic life reached the very top not only in terms of art, but above all from the human point of view. Experience and thoughts are shared by choreographers Jiří Kylián, Ronald Hynd, Mauro Bigonzetti, and Krzysztof Pastor, prima ballerinas Márcia Haydée and Daria Klimentová, as well as Reid Anderson, Ivan Liška, and other personalities.
Delve into the world of dance and uncover its hidden facets in a unique documentary that shows the beauty and difficulty of ballet, as well as the personal stories of those who have dedicated their lives to it.