The film had its world premiere at the 73^rd edition of the Venice International Film Festival, in presence of ballerina Anastasia Shevtsova and actors Juliette Binoche and Niels Schneider.

The film tells the story of a young Russian ballerina, leaving her homeland for France to follow her dream.

Short synopsis: Moscow, beginning of the 90s. Polina is 8 and her talent for classical ballet is clear. Although she is of very humble descent, she is accepted at Professor Bojinsky’s school, that trains the future dancers of the Bolshoi.

The Professor helps her unfold her unfold her talent and, at the age of 18, Polina is accepted as part of the prestigious ensemble. Here she meets Adrien, a charming French ballet dancer. With him, she will discover not only love, but also a new, contemporary, form of dance, that will change her life forever.

Polina is the first feature film of the famous choreographer Angelin Preljocaj. “ I was very much interested in her trajectory, in the way in which frailty and human weakness can become a trampoline to creativity and success. Since I started dancing, I saw lots of dancers, some very gifted, some not so. But those who are very gifted are not always having a fantastic career. Some are astonishing for a while and soon they fade away- this goes for both dancers and choreographers. Some actors take their force from longevity, stubbornness and endurance. From this point of view, the graphic novel seemed very realistic” Angelin Preljocaj explains, naming the reasons that determined him to start this film project.

Valérie Müller, co-director of the film also mentions the starting point of the script, the graphic novel: “Beyond the wonderful graphic art, there is something else in Bastien Vivès’ graphic novel that I found fabulous: the fact that he completely avoided the clichés that are usually found in the stories about famous dancers, almost always portrayed as anorexic victims of rivalry and competition. We are among hard- working youngsters, confronting moral and physical problems. We see them living and enjoying it. It’s very real”.

The 27th edition of the National Theatre Festival invites audiences and the press to meet three of the creators of this cinematic masterpiece: the screening of the film „Polina / Polina – danser sa vie” will take place in presence of directors Valérie Müller and Angelin Preljocaj and of actress Juliette Binoche.

The events on Sunday, October 29th will take place at the French Institute Bucharest, at the hereunder listed times:

13.30 –Press screening – cinema Elvire Popesco;

16.00 –Special Screening within the RNTF 2017- cinema Elvire Popesco;

18.00 – Press conference with participation of actress Juliette Binoche and directors Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller, moderated by Marina Constantinescu (Atrium of the IFB)

Journalists are invited to the press screening at 13.30 and the press conference at 18.00.

Registrations at

[email protected].

Deadline : Friday, October 27th

Looking forward to welcoming you to the festival!