Nureyev (2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nureyev is a documentary film which premiered in 2018. The topic is the life and career of the famous ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993).

 

Here is some basic information about this film:

 

** Writers and directors: Jacqui Morris and David Morris

** Languages spoken: Russian, French, and English

** Subtitles: English

** Released on DVD in 2019

** Run time: 109 minutes

 

Nureyev’s life can be divided into two parts:

 

The first part = 1938-1961 = He lives in the USSR

The second part = 1961-1993 = He lives in the West

 

This film covers his whole life: the time in the USSR, the defection to the West in 1961, and the time in the West.

 

There are statements by people who knew him and who worked with him. I will not mention all names here, because the complete list is too long.

 

In addition, there are several clips where we see Nureyev himself. Some clips are interviews where he talks about his life and career, while other clips show him performing as a ballet dancer.

 

What do reviewers say about this film?

 

Here are the results of two review aggregators:

 

76 per cent = IMDb

85 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

62 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

 

As you can see, the ratings are quite good. When you look at Rotten Tomatoes, you can see that there is a significant difference between the critics and the audience.

 

The professional critics like this film more than the general audience.

 

In this case, I have to side with the critics. In fact, I want to go even higher than they do.

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

Why?

 

Because it is what I call an ABC-product:

 

** Accurate

** Balanced

** Comprehensive

 

PS # 1. The following item is available online:

 

Leslie Felperin,

“Nureyev review – a meticulous, heart-breaking tour de force,”

The Guardian,

21 September 2018

 

Leslie Felperin offers 4 of 5 stars which corresponds to a rating of 80 per cent.

 

PS # 2. Nureyev: Dance to Freedom is a documentary film which premiered on British television (BBC) in 2015. Run time: 89 minutes.

 

This film focuses on the dramatic defection in the Paris airport in June 1961.

 

PS # 3. The White Crow is a historical drama which premiered in 2018. Run time: 127 minutes.

 

This drama covers only the first part of his life: the time in the USSR and the defection in 1961. His life in the West is not covered here.

 

PS # 4. Nureyev’s defection in June 1961 has been the subject of much speculation. The question is this: when did Nureyev decide to defect? There are several answers to this question:

 

Option 1: while he was still in the USSR.

 

Option 2: after one or two weeks in Paris during which he had tasted the freedom of the western world.

 

Option 3: on the last day in Paris, on 16 June 1961, in the Paris airport, when he was told that he was not going with the troupe to London.

 

He was told he had to go back to the USSR. He did not want to do that. When he asked why, they offered two reasons. At first, they said he was going to give a special performance in the Kremlin. It was a great honour. Later, they told him that his mother was sick.

 

He did not believe any of these explanations. He managed to get away from his KGB minders and threw himself into the arms of two French policemen who were waiting for him to act – if and when he was ready to defect.

 

*****

Nureyev

A documentary film (2018)

Released on DVD in 2019

 

*****