Original subtitles

Production company Valery Todarovsky

Russia 1

Cinema Fond

Presents

Mom, promise that you’ll buy me rollerskates.

You promised to buy them for me, remember?

Yes, I’ll buy them for you. I’ll buy them.

Tanya, I told you to wear the other underwear.

These make your legs look a couple of centimeters shorter.

Karinachka, my sweetheart, how did it go?

- Everything’s fine, don’t worry. - Good? Everything alright?

My sunshine.

Mama, mama, they complimented me!

Good girl! I told you!

You’re such a good girl!

Let me have twenty rubles for beer.

Yulia!

Come on, give me twenty rubles, I'll pay you back, honestly.

Hold on, stop.

Look.

Is that really you?

The Bolshoi Theater, 1972.

I was so great on that stage, Yulia…

I was so great on that stage…

Oooh!

Vlady Pototsky!

- I thought you were dead! - Galina Mikhailovna, how wonderful!

At least someone from the old days.

Oooh, what cheap rotgut you drink, Vlady!

I brought this girl with me, to enroll in the academy.

You were so great as Albert!

Just because they wouldn't let you go on tour to New York

was no reason to drink your life away.

You weakling.

The Bolshoi held you high in its arms.

I brought this girl to enroll in the academy. Please, just take a look.

Oh, how you lived on that stage! How alive you were!

I had no fear of descending into that grave with you.

And who do we have now?

Talentless hacks. There's no one for me to even die with.

This girl is heaven sent! See for yourself.

Galina Mikhailovna, please! Her name is Yulia.

- Why is she so gangly? - She's not gangly, she's tall!

She might grow a tiny little bit, but that's it! Her mother's small.

The important thing - she's got a tremendous leap!

- Really tremendous?! - Tremendous, believe me!

Just take a look, please. With her, you won't be afraid to die.

Go!

This is Yulia.

She missed the first two rounds of auditions,

but she can show us everything right here and now.

Thank you, Mitya, thank you.

- Does Yulia have a last name? - Olshanskaya.

Yulia Olshanskaya, please take off your pants.

Yulia Olshanskaya performing, Vladimir Ivanovich Pototsky, tutor.

Stop!

Hey, watch your hands!

Don't start any trouble!

How do you intend to work in the theater?

Not in my underwear, that's for sure.

You think we're here to look at your underwear?

You're in your underwear, my dear,

so that we could see all your shortcomings.

Your large frame, for example.

With age, your hips will become even wider.

Meaning, I'll have a big ass?

And you got huge hands, like a man!

And somehow you've managed to dance.

Zhanachka, ask the next one to come in.

Galina Mikhailovna, how old is she?

Dance!

Galina Mikhailovna, we have the next one.

Dance! Come on!

If I made it in - stick out your tongue, if not - pucker your lips.

Ooo!

Never drink champagne. Champagne weakens your legs.

If you're gonna drink, drink only cognac, understand?

That's enough for a return ticket, economy class.

I have to start saving up.

And calm my mother, okay?

I'll calm her down.

Dear parents, here's the list of accepted students.

Hurrah!

THE BOLSHOI

And-one, and-two, and-three.

What's this?

What's this?

Don't you have legs?

If you didn't have them, one could at least pity you.

Filled this place up through the want-ads.

You, step to the center bars.

So!

And-one, and-two, and-three.

And we hold the pearl stance.

There.

Embracing the cloud, hugging the cloud, there.

Leg from the hip,

from the hip, Katya. Starting from the hip!

I said from the hip.

What? What? What?

What?

Did we come here to cry or to serve in the ballet, huh?

- Katya! - Her name is Tanya!

- What's the difference? - A freaking big one!

You're nobody in ballet until you've proven otherwise.

I don't need it, it's her stupid legs that need it.

So!

You'll do the tendu until class is over.

No-name fools!

Come on, let's have the tendu,

tendu, no, tendu!

Pour le piere, pour le piere!

I've had it! I don't know any these words!

When will you know them? When you retire?

And what are you doing here?

I come here to talk to my mom, so that nobody else could hear me.

Mmm...

Me, too, with my dad.

Listen, Yulia, stand over here, please.

Why?

You'll find out right now.

Look, here, this is pour le piere.

It's translated as push. Repeat it.

This is pour le piere - push.

Correct. Now you can repeat it with your arms and your legs.

And-one, and-two.

Аnd-one, and...

Soon.

Ok!

Girls, why are there so many of you here?

Did you place any bets? You didn't! Let's clear some space.

Tanya, Mya!

More, Karina, come on, don’t half-ass it!

Kids! Come on, come on.

Sit closer, make some more space.

Galina Mikhailovna! I'm not arguing with you!

Olshanskaya has a splendid leap, simply splendid!

Yes, she's artistic!

But there are nuances.

Anyone else? Who's next, who's next?

- 300 on Karina. - On who?

- 300 on Karina. - 500 on Olshanskaya.

Hold on, I can't keep up! Wait!

- 250 on Olshanskaya. - Olshanskaya - 500!

- I can't keep up. Girls, hold on. - Come on, write it down, 250 on Karina.

Everything okay? Come on, get ready! That’s it! Come on!

So, Kurnikova, you scared?

Of whom? A drunken you?

Will you even be able to stand up on your legs?

Do you doubt it?

You haven't seen yourself from the side.

Karina's got the arms.

Karina's got the legs.

And most importantly, Karina's got the balance.

Karina has the nuances.

But Olshanskaya is Aurora.

She's truly joyful when she's running through the palace,

and not just jumping around on balanced legs.

Hey, what are you doing?

Get out of here! Go back!

Go, go! You can come in. Get out! Out!

Let me through. Tanya, finish it up, we're starting!

Antsiferov, I don't understand, who are you betting on?

On Karina.

- How much? - Yes, on Karina - 150.

That’s it! All bets are down.

Come on, let’s begin!

Okay, attention! Quiet!

Everyone get up and move away!

Girls, you ready?

Ready.

Let's go!

- Olshanskaya! Olshanskaya! - Come on, Karina!

Karina! Karina! Karina! Karina!

Come on, Karina!

Give me a last name, please.

I have to prepare a diet.

Did you determine who your lead is?

Or we can be starving two girls, if you want.

- Come on! - Come on! Karina!

Okay!

Fine, we'll leave the question of Aurora until after the dress rehearsal.

We need to see them both on stage.

Get them both ready. It won't kill them.

Put it down.

You’re a ballerina

and you’re acting like a bum.

Why don’t you go scavenge from the other tables, too.

I will! I’m starving.

You’ve got it good here, but no one’s giving me any food.

- You know how to wash floors? - What’s there to know?

What!

This is some freaking museum you got here.

And where do you live?

I live right here.

I’m sort of an antique, myself.

I’ll pay you every Thursday. That okay with you?

Yes.

You gonna tell anyone that you’re cleaning here?

- Nope. - Too proud!

Good.

Maybe you’ll make something of yourself, yet.

Who’s there?

You’re… who’s in here?

Galina Mikhailovna, what’s wrong?

Galina Mikhailovna, what’s with you?

Where am I?

Galina Mikhailovna, you’re at home!

What’s with you?

Here, take a look,

that’s you – when you were younger. Picasso drew it.

You told me about it yourself earlier today!

Take a look. That’s you – when you were younger.

Unbelievable!

Listen, maybe we should call for an ambulance or speak to someone?

No! It’s not necessary.

I’m just…

sometimes my memory fails me.

It’s a disease. I forget what it’s called.

Swear to me that you won’t say a word to anyone about it.

To nobody!

I promise.

Otherwise, I’ll have to leave the academy.

If you don’t keep my secret safe.

I swear! Don’cha worry about it!

And enough with your “cha’s”!

What is this “cha”, “cha”?

There’s no “cha”!

Lena.

- Lena, right? - Yes.

I remember.

I remember.

- Krasnorutskaya. - Oh, yeah.

She’s got horrendous feet.

And this one?

That’s the good one,

I remember her well.

Aaaaa... That’s Krasnorutskaya!

Krasnorutskaya was right before this one.

That’s it, Yulia, I’m tired.

- Galina Mikhailovna. Сome on. - No.

- There are only two left. - That’s it, my dear.

Oh, well…

- But, that’s Karina. - Karina!

- Kurnikova! - You see, you could do it!

You’re such a pain in the ass, Olshanskaya.

Galina Mikhailovna, there’s only one left, I swear!

The last one.

I can’t remember.

- I just can’t remember. - What do you mean?

That’s Tanya Yefremova.

Oh, yeah. The hell with her.

Here…

You like?

Very much.

Take them! My gift to you!

They’re real antiques! Diamonds, sapphires.

You could buy a car with them.

But don’t you sell them!

I danced in them as Odetta.

Wear them when you dance at the Bolshoi.

You understand?

Olshanskaya, what’cha got there?

It’s nothing. What?

Go back to sleep!

I don’t want to dance with Antoine Duvale!

I don’t like the way he prepared his part.

And anyways, I don’t feel well today.

I won’t be able to dance Kitri today.

Yes! And reschedule my rehearsals!

Did you hear me? I said reschedule my rehearsals!

- Yulia, you coming? - Yes, Karina, I’ll be right along!

Okay.

Yefremova, Tatyana.

Artistic, but terrible feet.

Hips are a nightmare.

She’ll spread out and won’t be able to dance.

I recommend expelling her.

Okay. Karina Kurnikova.

I recommend advancing her to the next level.

Yulia Olshanskaya. She was accepted with probationary status.

I recommend advancing her to the next level.

Please, don’t expel me, I’m begging you!

What am I going to tell my parents? Please don’t expel me, please don’t!

I’ll get rid of the hips and get my feet done! Please!

So, now you’ll say that I’m a monster!

Well?

There has to be somebody for us to teach, so, go ahead and let her remain,

- if you want, on probationary status. - Tanya, get up!

No need to cry.

Come over here.

Your parents have to understand

that we’re expelling you because this is ballet!

Wouldn’t you, yourself, want to go to the Bolshoi

and see beautiful ballerinas.

Right? So, there’s no point in crying.

We’re letting you advance to the next class.

On probation.

Sit down.

Thank you.

Galina Mikhailovna, what are you looking for over there?

We’re in the middle of evaluations.

My earrings are missing!

Hmm...

They cost a fortune!

- Galina Mikhailovna… - “Galina Mikhailovna” what?

There are thieves in the academy.

And you know it. And everyone knows it too!

They steal here. But these earrings –

they're not some cell phone!

Yulia, show us your hands.

Don’t hide them behind your back. Show them to us.

I want you to say it outloud.

This is disgusting, Olshanskaya!

This is a crime!

And I want you to say this outloud.

Only when you acknowledge it, can you repent.

Look your classmates in the eye.

You’re expelled, obviously!

But I want you to feel ashamed before you’re expelled.

I didn’t steal them.

- What? - I didn’t steal those earrings.

- What nerve! - That’s enough, Lyudmila Sergeyevna.

You at least understand that you’re a liar and a thief?

Enough!

You have until tonight to clear out your things from the academy.

You’re expelled!

Yulia.

Yulia.

Yulia.

Yulia.

Forgive me.

Forgive me!

Don’t come near me, you old witch!

Get out of here! Get out! I hate you!

Hate you! I want you to die!

Why are you always here?

Come on, Antsifirov, behave yourself…

get away from here, it’s my bed.

Mitya, Antsifirov, you’re a real pain in the ass.

Well, i think...

Well, maybe, yes, well, if completely, of course.

Run-run...

Excuse me.

- I think it’s all bunch of fairytales. - No, wait.

What fairytales, what miracles? Everyone in the Academy knows it.

No, of course they’re fairytales. It's just not realistic to jump like that.

Yes, even Amirkhan said it. I really think that she could’ve jumped

- from one building rooftop to another. - Olshanskaya, I need to talk to you.

- Could she have really made that jump? - You need a balloon for that.

What is she, a hot air balloon or something?

- It’s impossible. - The splits, over one eighty.

- What’s with you? - A hundred and eighty don’t matter here.

Think of what kind of legs and thighs you would need, it’s impossible.

- Excuse me. - What’s with you, Antsifirov?

Нold on. Excuse me, pardon me.

So?

No, forget it.

What's up with you? Say what you wanted to say.

Well, I kind’a wanted to admit that I’m in love.

So, I’m in love…

Well, maybe not in love, I don’t know.

Okay, so I’m in love.

That’s why I can’t do any lifts with Karina.

With you I could do it like this…or like that.

Well!

This whole thing’s insane, this ballet!

Don’t you think it’s insane? You drag a woman in a circle,

run around like a fool, jumping, all out of breath –

and it’s all supposed to express love!

I hate the ballet! No, that’s it for me!

I’ll graduate from the academy, hand diploma to mother and that’s fucking it!

Gonna become a policeman, like a regular guy.

No-no, forget about it!

You’re not talking about me by any chance?

- No. - No?

From a distance it looked like it was about me.

- Why are you laughing? - It’s nothing.

Well, what?

All that stuff is just fairy tales.

She didn't jump, it's unrealistic.

How about you, Antsifirov?

Go and try it.

- Come on, Antsifirov, you're the man. - No, it's not eighteen floors…

- Karina, don't. - Come on. Go try it.

Leave me alone, Karina! Stupid.

Well... why no?...

…if only the roof was a little longer…

.. why no?

No, no, dont't jump...

Listen, Mitya, so...

Is it possible to fall in love with me?

Hey!

Why are you asking me? How can I answer you, I'm already in love.

- Well, guys do talk about you in class. - Yeah?

Who specifically?

Listen, Olshanskaya, I don't have time for you right now.

How should I know who loves you?

Yulia, what are you doing?

She's really getting undressed, or what?

- Why is she doing that? - You planning to go for a swim?

- You screwing around out or what? - It's not funny, Yulia.

Put your clothes back on, you'll freeze.

Check it out, she's really undressing.

Get dressed, Olshanskaya, it's cold.

What are you trying do, Yulia?

- Is she really serious? - That's enough, Yulia! It's not funny.

- In all seriousness, come on! - Yulia, stop it.

- Where are you going? - What’s with you, Yulia? Are you crazy?

No, really, Yulia! What are you doing?

Yulia!

Stop!

- Stupid! - Nah, it's unrealistic.

No one's ever jumped from here, guys, that's for sure.

Stupid!

What are you staring at?

It's totally unrealistic.

Oh, stop!

Can't you pick her up normally, Antsifirov?

What is the pas de deux? Pas de deux means “wedding night.”

Come on!

No! No! No! No!

Olshanskaya, what's with the face, huh?

Huh??

Did you forget that you're a princess and that you're in love, huh?

What's this? Face of stone with a stoned expression.

- Ah, I think, after Classics we could… - Uh-ha, good.

Don't forget the shampoo.

Yulia?

- Yulia? - Huh?

Listen, I wanted to ask you something.

What do you think, you're still a virgin?

Well, yeah, I guess so.

Or maybe not anymore.

Did you hear what Krasnorutskaya said yesterday?

Turns out we've torn everything down there long ago

with those stretches from hell.

And during second year, Krasnorutskaya said that kissing

makes hair grow above your lips.

You think that's true?

I don't know.

It's horrible, if it's true.

I mean, I'd rather it be a man than some grand batement.

What difference does it make here?

And the worst thing is, she says, after you have sex

your dancing gets a lot worse.

Yeah? Why don't you also say that Lopatkina and Zakharova don't have sex.

This is all crazy talk.

I don't believe it.

Oh, and that reminds me, I wanted to tell you that the reason

Mitya keeps dropping you whenever he holds you up

is because he's in love with you.

He says that he can't bear to touch you.

Me - he can, but not you.

Thanks for telling me this.

My God! This is a Picasso!

And that's you, Galina Mikhailovna!

Yes.

What an amazing portrait.

Wonderful.

Really wonderful.

Excuse me, and you are?

Karina Kurnikova's mother.

I'm here specifically regarding the graduation show.

We, the parents' committee, wanted to suggest to you…

well, we actually have a lot of different ideas,

but there is one it's kind of crazy, to be honest.

huh?

Forgive me, who are you again?

Karina Kurnikova's mother.

ok!

Galina Mikhailovna, let's first have a smoke.

- You do smoke, right? - Trying to quit,

so, don't tempt me.

I'm sorry.

Galina Mikhailovna, could you at least tell me something.

My daughter won't tell me anything, but I worry.

I am a mother, afterall. And I don't know anything.

How is she doing in class,

what she's up to, I don't know anything.

Tell me at least something, in secret.

For example, are they gonna give her the part of Aurora?

Aurora?

Well, since you're here,

you'll have to forgive me, but I've never seen you before.

I understand that it costs a lot of money

to travel here from your, God, what's it called,

your Shakhtinsk.

But for the past eight years.

In eight years you could've at least made one call to her teacher

to ask how is Yulia, how's she doing?

Do you even understand that your daughter will be a great ballerina,

do you realize it?

You come to me just now?

Do you even know my name?

I've been working with your daughter since she was ten years old.

huh!

Will they give the part of Aurora to Olshanskaya?

I won't tell this to Yulia,

but I will tell you -

they'll give the part of Aurora to Olshanskaya, and you are scum.

Yulia, is that you?

Wait…

Stop...

So, what's gonna happen to her now?

Will she and that boy go to jail?

No way. Will execute them both immediately!

I'm sick of dealing with her, this is her third arrest.

I'll stick her in juvenile hall, number twenty one.

Someone has to teach her how to behave!

Wait! Please, wait.

One second.

Maybe it's art? As an option.

And I'll withdraw the complaint.

You shouldn't have! That was totally unnecessary.

Olshanskaya! You wanna go to juvenile hall?

Start clapping!

The father is a coal miner, with ten years of Distinguished Service awards.

The mother is a senior assembly packer.

And the daughter? A thief!

Masha! Why are you like this? She didn't steal, she danced!

Go on, praise her!

Good girl.

You see, Masha. Come on, Yulia!

- Now you'll study the ballet! - What for?

Come on, get up. This is called a training bar.

What kind of training bar is that?

And what do you think it is?

Why start right off with the training bar?

- Where do you want to start off? - Right here, in the middle.

I'm supposed to dance, right? Or what?

I can dance on my hands! Or I'll jump maybe?

I'll teach you a little later. Hold on!

Ah!

Now this is called the first position.

Come on, turn your feet…

Turn your feet.

It hurts!

Really? But when a bunch of drunks at the bus stop throw you some applause

that makes you think that you’re a great dancer, huh?

I said rotate your leg!

Don’t be stubborn! You can do everything!

Knees together!

Juvenile Hall would've been more freaking humane!

Go ahead, then. Go to your Juvenile Hall!

And-one, and-two, and-three.

Plier!

Deeper plier!

Alonge!

Galina Mikhailovna, is my arm normal?

- Huh? - Is my arm normal?

It's normal, Katya.

Full leg extension, Krasnorutskaya.

Well?

And what about you? You think you're superstars?

And-one, and-two, and-three.

My stars, how can I get as skinny as you, huh?

huh...

Yulia,

how about…

Hmm...

What? How we love it?

- Come on. - May I?

- Why not? - Let's go.

Karina's not coming with us - she's a coward.

You guys are sick.

So...

- You ready? Come on… - Come on.

Forward!

Fast!

Good girl! Good girl!

Careful here, careful, downshift and turn.

Here... here... here...

You guys didn't have a car back in Shakhtinsk, did you?

Of course not, how could we?

Listen, is your mother planning on coming to graduation?

No, aunt Vera, how could she afford it?

Vanya's in seventh grade right now,

and mother wrote that the school's

squeezing money from her like milk from a cow.

She bought him some running shoes at the beginning of summer,

by the end of summer they're already too small for him.

The twins just started first grade and they're constantly sick.

But, it's alright, I'll stay strong and as soon as I make it to the Bolshoi,

I'll get them all out of there.

Listen, Yulia, how about I give you some money?

Stop it, I'm telling you all this just because.

I see. Well, I'm the same -

I wouldn't take it for nothing.

So, then, what can we do here... then, let me pay you for something.

You do something, and I'll pay you for it. You'd earn it.

That means you worked for it - that's a normal thing.

And you can send the money to your mother.

Oh, come on, stop it! What could I ever do for you?

I don’t know.

I don’t know, honestly.

I don't know for example, the part of Aurora.

We'd be more than glad to help out.

What do you mean by “the part of Aurora?”

Well… you'll decline the part of Aurora for the graduation performance.

Are you out of your mind?

You must be shitting me!

Karina, come out!

Let's go, Karina darling.

Come out!

My fiancés.

What? All of them?

All of them. Dad's got a ton of money, and you say - Mitya.

What about you?

What about me?

No.

My body is strictly for ballet.

Actually, I've decided that I will never have anyone.

I swear.

I only sense my body like this, look:

leg, lift, arm and arabesque…

And then what?

- What do you mean “what”? - There's your leg,

and there's your lift, and then what?

Leg, lift… and who the fuck needs your arabesque?

We're just stating facts here!

And that fucking second position, who needs all that?

What?! Is life gonna stop without it?

Why are you so worked up?

I'm not forcing you to do the same thing as same.

- Go screw yourselves, all of you! - Olshanskaya?

Why are you like this?

The next stations is Moscow

No, it wasn't because of grande batement, afterall.

- What did you say? - Nothing important.

No, seriously, what did you say?

Fine, it doesn't matter.

I don't really care.

Put your hand on my breast.

Olshanskaya, told you, huh?

Are you teasing me?

Now lower.

Mitya.

I like you,

more than anyone else, really,

but let's wait until after the graduation performance.

My head is full of other things right now.

I can't think of anything except for the part.

We'll do it after, okay?

After graduation.

Just don't drop me, please!

Don't get up, rest.

Well?

I don't know his number, Galina Mikhailovna, honestly.

It's some boy,

I don't even know his name.

Call…

some boy.

Get changed.

Galina Mikhailovna, so who is our Aurora? I still don’t understand.

We’ll soon decide… just wait.

Well?

I keep calling, but the phone is turned off.

Call again!

Keep on calling while you stretch.

Call, call, call!

What a little bitch!

Please.

Let's see what awaits us.

The kids all prepared.

They should do fine.

Let's see.

Take off the costume! Don't just stand there, take off the costume!

Zhana, stop! Stop!

Olshanskaya, what's going on?

Get the hell off the stage!

Zhana, I told you to stop!

Have all of you gone insane?

This is an outrage!

You're all totally out of control! Out of control! What is this?

That's it! Consider the rehearsal over!

I have a problem.

I want the best student that I ever had

to dance the main part in the graduation show.

And those scumbags...

They keep torturing me and won't let me.

That's not a problem, Galina Mikhailovna!

- What is your student's name? - Yulia Olshanskaya.

Is there anything else I can do for you?

No.

Some tea, at least?

I love men who don't hold a grudge. Thank you.

Are you're joking, Galya?!

You were the best thing to happen in my life!

Galina Mikhailovna, how could you do this?

Stop!

Everyone, please get out!

What's the meaning of this?

Olshanskaya doesn't show up for the dress rehearsal

and you're putting her into the show?

I've dealt with you like a human being.

I let you finish the course.

I let you stage the graduation ballet performance with the class.

Let Olshanskaya stay in the Academy after the story with earrings.

And your memory lapses?

I also covered up for you, and didn't tell anyone.

And for your part, you promised me not to get involved

in the life of the Academy,

to leave with honors,

that was the agreement!

That's what we agreed on.

Did you forget that?

I forgot.

Forgive me, Ludmila Sergeyevna,

forgive me, for God's sake, you must understand that I didn't do it on purpose.

Actually, I'm very grateful to you for everything.

But, believe me,

if I was of sound mind I would never have broken

our agreement.

So, I forgot.

I forgot.That's it, I'm a total cuckoo.

It's time. Time for the trash heap.

Time for the trash heap, and that's all.

I'm so tired of you, Galya.

Your longest lasting husband was with you for how long?

Three years?

And I've been with you for thirty years at the same Аcademy!

Thirty years!

Your Olshanskaya can go ahead and dance. Let anyone be Aurora!

Just hurry up and leave, Galya!

Hurry up and leave!

And Galya…

just admit that you never jumped from rooftop to rooftop!

I did jump.

Shit, they ran the corps de ballet ragged with rehearsals.

Girls, did you hear that they only confirmed one week of vacation for us?

- Let's go and complain! - Listen, Lena, get out of here, okay?

Just get yourself breast reduction surgery, Yefremova.

- Why are you getting so steamed up? - You owe me a grand, by the way, Lena.

Don't you remember?

I bet on Olshanskaya, to get the part of Aurora. Lena, you hear me?

Krasnorutskaya, stop! Where are you going! Wait up, let’s talk!

Yulia.

Huh?

Congratulations!

Thanks.

Yefremova,

what's this?

My breasts!

And they're huge!

And it hurts me to keep them tightly wrapped up.

Here's my notice.

I'm asking to be removed by my own huge request.

“And you, my dearest, for your cheating May you shake with fever!

- For fourteen weeks... - Four times a day...

Heating up, heating up, Bathtub in the garden!

Getting married, getting married, My dearest mother…

Yulia!

Сome on!

So

Such a beauty queen.

- It really goes with you, mom! - Anyone ask you?

- Are you nuts or what? - What's with you, Masha?

They finally paid us for the last six months. Can't I buy you some presents?

When’s the next time you’re gonna be paid, did you think about that?

And he’s passing out presents! Don't sit on the cold floor, Vanya!

How am I supposed to feed you, you think about that?

Why the fuck do I need this fur coat of yours?!

Vanya look at this ballerina that papa got me!

Come on! Run.

Lady, who are you?

- Oh, you're Misha? - No, I'm Lyosha.

I'm Misha.

And I'm your sister! Here's some presents!

- Wow! - Thanks!

Yulia!

I'm cooking some borscht for you.

Without meat, water-based, with only cabbage.

Аnd Vanya's out with his friends again, as always, god knows where.

I forgot to buy the bread.

- That's it, crash! - Block it!

That's it, someone's getting a free kick!

Hey, you, move aside! Gonna knock you over right now!

- There's a good boy! - I'll be first!

- You're in last place! - Come on!

- Go back! - Yulia!

- Come to the table! - You're in last place!

I got lucky with them, they're so nice!

Got tons of money, but still act like normal people.

Wish I could cook and clean for them for the rest of my life.

It's wonderful! And they're so respectful:

“Maria, will you wash the windows?”

Mama, what's this?

Just slice off from the corner.

- Is this their leftovers? - What they didn't finish from dinner.

Mom, don't do this in front of Vanya and the twins.

What?

Don't eat food that's been bitten!

See that, Vanya? The ballet's in town!

Don't eat what's been bitten.

Moscow, you ashamed of us?

Mom, that's it!

You should ask me how we've lived here for the past eight years without you,

while you were over there swinging your legs?

You're a dancer in your Moscow?

Then, keep dancing!

But don't teach me how to live!

After your father got killed, they gave me a color television

and sent me on my way!

Mom, that's it, enough! Seriously!

Your father would let you get away with everything,

- that's why you grew up so selfish! - Why are you bringing up dad here?

Because! He left me!

With Vanya and a huge belly!

And this one runs off to dance without even mourning!

- Mom! - You hear this, Vanya?

Collected her things and says she's leaving!

Such a leap I got me!

But they're letting me dance as Aurora!

Your daughter will be standing on stage at the Bolshoi theater!

They couldn't find anyone better, huh?

What, you taking off today?

You said you're gonna stay for a week.

Yeah, I got some things, Vanya. I need to go back.

Yeah, sure! No need to acquit yourself!

I'd bail on her, too, if I could.

Just keeps needling me, and never does anything good.

You should… Don't be rude to mother, and help her out.

I don't remember him at all!

What was he like, at least?

- Hello! Hello! - Yes, hello!

Well...

Kurnikova's pretty good.

Yes, Olshanskaya,

Godspeed.

Godspeed!

Boych will be in the audience.

It's time to change.

Kurnikova, get undressed!

What?

Or get dressed! You're dancing today!

Are you out of your mind?

Today, you're dancing as Aurora!

What is this nonsense?

Of course, that's your business!

But, I will not be dancing today, is that clear?

Yulia!

Yulia!

What? Karina won't be watching the show with us?

No, she won't be watching.

Hello. I want to wire this to Shakhtinsk with notification of receipt.

- Hello! - Hello!

Galina Mikhailovna, good morning!

Galina Mikhailovna!

I told you to change your underwear, do shame me!

Oh, just keep laying down.

My God! I’m so fed up with all of you!

I'm so fed up living amongst you!

You don't even see anything around you!

Nothing!

- For you, there's only television… - Is there money for tickets?

Money, food, clothes.

TV, money, food, clothes.

Go on, keep on sitting here in your own shit and…

...and keep warm.

And you're freezing around here, is that it?

I've asked you to change your underwear, don't shame me.

Everything around here is so tasteless.

And you going on a drunken binge once again, that doesn't shame you?

How else could one live with you, huh?

And what are you doing here?

I'm asking you, what are you doing here?

What, you ready to go to Moscow?

Your place is in juvenile hall, not in Moscow.

Bullshitter!

Get outta here!

Get the hell outta here!

What? I can walk normally.

So, whatever's left after the tickets, don't spend it right away, you understand?

Promise me one thing -

never come back here.

Go.

I came to Moscow from Shakhtinsk and enrolled in the Academy

in a class taught by Galina Mikhailovna Beletskaya.

And now I serve in the Bolshoi Theater.

I've always dreamed of dancing in Swan Lake.

Everyone knows how much talent and work one must invest

in order to dance in such a… dance in the Bolshoi Theater.

Yes!

And although I'm only an artist in the corps de ballet,

I'm the third swan!

I'm not a prima and not a soloist.

I enter in the second row,

and no one in the audience will probably recognize me,

but for me it's a great honor to dance on the same stage

as Karina Kurnikova and Antoine Duval.

I'm…

I'm very happy to have my name included in the Swan Lake program.

Thank you.

Thank you. I'm proud of you,

Yulia Olshanskaya.

Antoine Duval is already on his way here

and will arrive at any minute.

In the meantime, the troop's creative director,

Oleg Nikolayevich Boych, will say a few words.

As you probably know, Antoine Duval is finishing his ballet career

and the shows at the Bolshoi are his farewell performances.

Therefore, why not make an exception, break with tradition.

You heard what was said by the members of the corps de ballet,

what was said by the makeup artists? Then, what about your questions?

Yes, a French artist in Swan Lake, but if you'll excuse me…

Yulia, where are you going?

Swan Lake remains a ballet set to the music of Petr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Tanya, watch, she'll touch her ear.

And the main role of the white swan will be performed by...

So, sweet and shy.

…of Russian and world ballet, Karina Kurnikova.

Now she'll turn to her profile.

...You all know her well.

That's right, beautiful neck, have to show it.

Now she'll smile…

...how simple and approachable.

- Cut it out, Mitya. - Okay,

but I told you I know her -

she's a machine.

Hello, Olshanskaya! Listen, that was a awesome speech.

Where did you disappear to? Get back over here,

Antione Duval will be here right now.

I'm drinking to you, Tanya.

Didn't you want to work at the Bolshoi?

And you're working there, Tanya, in wardrobe.

So, here's to your chest and to you.

The chest? Makes me sad.

Too big for ballet, and…

and so-so for life.

Cognac?

Why not?

Holy shit!

Antoine Duval?

Do you know where I first saw you?

At the Bolshoi.

You were dancing in the Nutcracker

and I was backstage, next to you.

You were sort of my prince...

I even wanted to marry you.

Slow down. I don't understand Russian speaking that quick.

By the way, everybody's waiting for you.

At the press conference.

Listen, can you help me to escape from here?

Do you dance in Swan Lake? Because I don't remember you.

Yeah, well, Beletskaya always remembered me.

Beletskaya

She was sick. Totally losing her memory.

She didn't remember even Karina.

She even left me her earrings, which she wore when she danced Swan Lake.

You don't understand.

When time goes by, and nothing is happening.

You fool!

What do you know about time?

Nothing

I'm 40, and I can see that I'm using my germs one millimeter after the other.

Today's one, tomorrow it will be two, and there's nothing I can do. Nothing.

And you wonder if it's difficult to quit ballet? It's not difficult, almost impossible.

And the journalist. What will you do after your retirement?

Will you be a teacher?

Teach who? Dumb people like you?

Needs to drink to be able to dance? Come on, what a future.

I wish I could be at your place.

You understand?

No, I don't understand!

Why are you so upset?! You've achieved everything!

What’s with you, Yulia? Are you drunk?

Listen! I was just thinking.

I’m gonna move to Moscow.

Why not?

Seriously!

The fuck do I need this Shakhtinsky Institute for?

And everyone’s just waiting for you there with open arms?

Why don’t you come down from the clouds.

Geniuses like you come here by the trainload!

I know what I’m talking about!

You’re just going to ruin your life.

But you yourself went, Yulia!

And got accepted! You’re renting an apartment in Moscow

and dancing on the Bolshoi stage!

And you know how proud mother is of you?

She’s been talking about you to the entire city…

Yulia!

And développé...all the way!

Stretch your standing legs.

Ok give more space...to your neck and chin.

Mind the shoulder

Adagio

And Arabesque.

And one, développé. Two, three, and four.

All the way with the foot please.

Three and Four

Mind the finger.

Two, three, adagio

It seems somebody has been drinking yesterday.

I was

Don't you know that you shouldn't drink before the class.

I'm sorry, I had to. With one man.

I couldn't say no, he was very upset.

Are you sure you can work?

I'm standing and working.

So you are shaking like that every time you're dancing.

I think you should quit.

Tony stop

Yulka is a great Ballerina, she used to dance abroad at academy.

Oh really? Ok bring the bow away please. Show me.

Ok, we're gonna do the first entrance of sleeping beauty. Ok.

Ok ok, stop it stop it. Thank you maestro.

Well apparently you've been waiting to long in the call to ballet.

It seems to be too late for you now.

He should go screw himself, that old fart.

You're still cool, Yulia.

- No. - Yes, you're very cool, you hear me?

And why are you being so nosy, Krasnorutskaya?

Go on, get outta here!

Remember the situation with the earrings?

That was me who ratted you out.

I know that.

Please, forgive me.

- That stuff doesn't matter anymore Tanya! - What do you mean it doesn't matter?

Just imagine, you could've been expelled!

And you're the coolest!

You're the best fucking ballerina, Olshanskaya!

And how would you know, you fool?

Karina stop stop stop stop.

Don't spread your leg like that.

I complete you I already told you that.

I'm sorry

No it's me I'm sorry. I shouldn't have drank yesterday.

Let's do it again?

No that's enough for today, I'm tired.

Girls, quiet, please!

Line up in two columns for the waltz.

Like that, good.

Arms lower.

Frame tilted. Make sure your lifts don't droop down.

Inhale at the start. And…

Olshanskaya, lower arabesque.

Lower arabesque, Olshanskaya!

Lower arabesque, Olshanskaya!

Okay, arm-in-arm.

Okay.

Tilt your frame.

Okay.

Lower sissonne, Olshanskaya!

Lower sissonne, Olshanskaya!

I can't jump any lower! That's the kind of jump I got!

Stop!

Get the hell out!

From the second phrase, girls, please.

If you'd be so kind. Go on.

That's beautiful right there. Yes, bravo.

Bravo

Attention! Right here is the fifth position.

I can't believe it, Olshanskaya.

What do you mean?

You're the backup for Odetta in Swan Lake.

Yefremova, these are four premier shows!

It's obvious that Karina will dance in all of them.

Well, show or no show, but it's the same dress rehearsal for all.

You fucked him.

The whole theater knows already.

That's why he put you in as the backup.

Well, Olshanskaya finally used her brain.

Get the hell out, Yefremova!

Take a hike! Is that clear?

Go mend some holes, seamstress!

Honestly, Tanya, you better go.

Go screw yourselves, you fucking primas!

You should've at least asked me before you started yelling.

- Yes, after the press-conference I… - Are you aware

that he's got someone like you in every city?

He won't let a single chorus girl go by.

He even slept with Krasnorutskaya.

And he's got a wife and two kids in America.

Aren't you at all disgusted by this?

What are you, jealous?

- Yeah, you're in love! - No, I'm not in love.

Kurnikova!

But you're right, actually. There's no fucking way you're in love.

When you're really in love, you don't give a shit about the wife,

and about the two kids…

Remember when I had Kirill?

I took him by the hand and walked out of the subway.

And I didn't give a shit if he's sleeping with some Krasnorutskaya.

You're giving me yourself as an example?

I'm the prima here, not you!

I was the best in class and you're coming for the third tour

from your backwoods Shakhtinsk!

It was with me that Mitya wanted to dance Sleeping Beauty,

he bet on me. You didn't know?

I'm the one who keeps dragging you to all these press-conferences.

It was I who lost her virginity to those stretches.

And not to some Kirill on the subway!

It was I who danced as Aurora during graduation.

Just come to terms with it, Olshanskaya!

You danced as Aurora because your mother paid me off.

And I took the money.

And then I went to the rooftop and jumped, just as Beletskaya did.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Listen, think about how whenever you do this little pique…

you have to keep them crossed appropriately.

The rest is fine.

Also, I forgot to tell you...

Hurry! Hurry!

Look at this Christmas Tree!

This is much better.

And so, here we are, ended up together…Oy!

Why are you lagging?

You’re holding everyone up.

- What’s your name? - Yulia.

Give me your hand, Yulia. Let's go together!

- You like? - Uh-ha.

- And do you know who staged it? - Yes. Marius Petipa.

Good girl.

And…do you know the year?

Yes. 1892.

Did you know that Antione Duvale will be dancing?

Yes, I know.

And where's Olshanskaya?

I don't know. Karina, have you seen Olshanskaya?

No.

Little girl, what are you doing here?

Olshanskaya, what are you doing?

I’ve been searching for you in the entire theater!

Antoine, this happens. A dancer broke a leg.

He said it happens, a dancer can break their leg.

She really can't dance? Call her again.

It switched off.

That's it, I'm canceling the show!

He will cancel, the performance.

Did you warm up?

Yes

What did he say?

I'm not ready.

She will do it.

I won't dance!

Antoine, this is not serious.

This is my performance. I will take responsibility of it.

She will dance

What did he say?

So, why are we still sitting?

Tanya, I can't.

I can't go out there, I'm not ready!

Fairy tales don't happen to someone like me.

Forget about fairy tales, Olshanskaya!

Right now you'll dance the lead and then return to the chorus.

You think they'll keep you in the main cast?

Don't even dream about it!

You're gonna have to work like a dog once again, just like back in Аcademy.

And it's not a fact that you'll make it.

Karina's giving you back your chance.

And, you know, it's no fairy tale for her, either.

Antoine's gonna go back to his wife, and Karina will remain back here.

You know, I remember the first time I came on to ride the Bolshoi.

I was dancing Nutcracker.

I was young and I wanted everything to be perfect.

I was so stressed at the beginning of the perforemance that I barely couldn't dance. Until..

Until this little girl, in the wings. She must have been 10 years old.

She pointed at me like that. She had such eyes full of dreams and delight.

She gave me the strength and confidence to go on.

So I danced for her.

Maybe you should think who you're dancing for

Ready? Let's go.

The Bolshoi