Bolshoi Babylon

Bolshoi Babylon is a riveting 2015 documentary that offers an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes exploration of Moscow's iconic Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world. Directed by Nick Read and Mark Franchetti, the film features prominent figures in the world of ballet such as Maria Allash, Andrei Budberg, Anatasiya Meskova, and many others. These experienced artists provide a very personal and raw perspective of the high stakes world of Russian ballet.

The film focuses on a particularly tumultuous period in the Bolshoi Theatre's history, following the infamous 2013 acid attack on the theatre's artistic director, Sergei Filin, by one of its own dancers, a shocking event that made international headlines. Rather than detailing the sensationalistic aspects of the crime, the documentary delves into the aftermath, revealing the impact of the event on the troupe and its attempts to recover and restore its reputation.

Bolshoi Babylon offers an array of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and candid discussions revealing the real drama that occurs off-stage. We get to feast our eyes on the rigorous ballet training of the dancers, which is at once beautiful and brutal. The film masterfully captures the sweat, tears, and fierce competition that permeate the lives of these world-class performers. The individuals featured come from varied ranks within the hierarchy of the Bolshoi Ballet, including soloists, corps de ballet dancers, coaches, and administrative staff, providing a comprehensive portrait of the intense environment within this institution.

The central figure of the film is Vladmir Urin, the newly appointed General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, tasked with the unenviable challenge of maintaining morale within the company and safeguarding its reputation on a global stage amid scandal and crisis. Urin comes across as someone struggling to manage an enormous team of passionate people under extraordinary circumstances. However, his calm demeanor and determination to steer the Bolshoi through the storm add an inspiring dimension to the film.

Bolshoi Babylon also explores the politics that intrude the sacred world of ballet. The struggles for power and the resulting tensions within the theater are presented in a neutral light, allowing viewers to form their own opinions. Unsurprisingly, these quiet power plays present as much drama, trepidation, and suspense as any Shakespearean tragedy. The film's depiction of bureaucracy and political maneuvering does not diminish the theatre's magic, but instead paints a more realistic, human picture of this legendary institution.

The remarkable feature of the film is its beautifully-shot dance sequences. The ballet performances at the Bolshoi Theatre are breathtaking, and the documentarians sparingly, but effectively use them to highlight the transcendent beauty of the artform that motivates the sacrifices and struggles of everyone involved in the production.

Furthermore, Bolshoi Babylon investigates the cultural importance of the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. The documentary touches upon the passion that Russians possess for ballet, portraying it as a form of spiritual nourishment and a symbol of national pride. The film highlights how the Bolshoi Theatre, despite its scandal-ridden backdrop, remains an iconic symbol in Russian society - a testament to the nation's enduring love for this art form.

The soundtrack by Simon Russell lends a dramatic underscore to Bolshoi Babylon, effectively capturing the range of emotions experienced by the people involved – from the soaring beauty of achieving artistic perfection to the searing pain of personal betrayal.

Bolshoi Babylon's exploration is insightful, sobering, and often breathtaking, taking the viewer on an emotional roller-coaster ride through one of ballet's most revered and scandal-plagued institutions. The film beautifully marries the grandeur of the theatre's performances with the raw emotions of the human drama behind the scenes. Above all, it serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the individuals that make up the Bolshoi Ballet - their pride, ferocity, resilience and tireless dedication to their beloved art form, ballet. For ballet fans and those interested in human stories behind famous institutions, Bolshoi Babylon is a must-watch.