Star Media, Channel One, and the online streaming platform KION are producing an international feature-length documentary on the Bolshoi Theatre developed in co-production with the leading German documentary media company Kinescope Film. The work on the project began in September 2020 and the production team will remain at the Bolshoi Theatre until September 2021. The script has attracted a great deal of attention from European television channels. By the time filming began, the Franco-German television channel Arte had purchased the distribution rights.
The film crew observes the everyday life of the Bolshoi Theatre during an entire theatrical season. The filming employs a hidden camera effect aiming to delicately capture unique moments in the inner workings of the Bolshoi Theatre, without disrupting the fragile nature of the creative process. The viewers will have a unique opportunity to join the Bolshoi’s rehearsals, performance runs, and costume fittings. They will meet people who bring the Bolshoi to life and follow their fascinating journeys to landing the parts of their dreams; journeys that are filled with small victories and big failures, high hopes and bitter disappointments.
The plot focuses on the path leading to the iconic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. This path can be taken by individual artists, decoration and costume designs, and entire productions.
This feature documentary will allow the viewers to meet both performers and those who are usually behind the scenes: stagehands, musicians, the management, and other people involved in the inner life of the theatre. The viewers will have a chance to meet these invisible heroes, without whose efforts the miracle of the Bolshoi would be impossible. The staff of Russia’s State Academic Bolshoi Theatre includes over three thousand highly-trained professionals. Each of them has a specific role, but they are united by their unconditional love for the Bolshoi Theatre.
Vlad Ryashin, President of Star Media:
With this project, we are not aiming to educate the viewers, nor to promote to the Bolshoi. Rather, we want to raise larger philosophical questions. Yes, the Bolshoi is a large and complex organism, but it also is a unique part of our lives. This is why our film is ultimately about love. We think that love is the driving force of everything that takes place within the walls of the Bolshoi. It could be love for music or dance; love for classic or modern art; the audience’s love for the theatre and, in turn, the theatre’s love for its audience. Finally, it could be love for the legendary stage of the Bolshoi, which bears the memory of the greatest actors, dancers, and singers. This is a grand stage, both in terms of its size and in terms of its cultural impact. It is very hard to take a step onto this stage and it is even harder to prove worthy of it.
Matthias Greving, CEO of Kinescope Film:
The Bolshoi Theatre is a Russian cultural brand, which is synonymous with the highest quality of theatre productions. We start filming this feature-length documentary with a full understanding of how unique and singular this theatre is. Star Media is an experienced and successful media company. Its projects have received praise and recognition from international audiences. I have no doubt that together we will create a deeply meaningful atmospheric film about the life of this legendary theatre!
Production: Star Media with support of The Ministry of Culture of the Russia Federation
Russian Partners: Channel One, the online platform KION
International Partners: Kinescope film, Arte, Salzgeber
Director: Anastasia Popova
Scriptwriters: Marina Bandilenko, Anastasia Popova
Director of Photography: Alexander Kiper
Release Date: December 2021
Duration: 110 min
