Events

Oscilloscope Laboratories is proud to announce the release of POLINA, directed by Valérie Müller and acclaimed French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, based on the graphic novel by Bastien Vivès. POLINA is scheduled to open in New York on Friday, August 25 (Angelika Film Center) and in Los Angeles on Friday, September 1 (Nuart), followed by a national roll out.

Shot in Russia, France and Belgium, POLINA tells the journey of a gifted young dancer - played by 22 year-old Mariinsky Theatre Russian ballerina Anastasia Shevtsova - rigorously trained from an early age by a perfectionist classical ballet teacher. Just after being accepted into Moscow's highly competitive and prestigious Bolshoi Ballet, Polina discovers contemporary dance, a revelation that deeply affects the young woman and makes her question her life until then. Diverting from her plan, Polina leaves all her exacting preparation behind and impulsively moves to the south of France to work with famous choreographer Liria Elsaj (Academy Award© winner Juliette Binoche). But once there, she is quickly forced to grapple with the realization that passion, determination and hard work are not always the key to success….

Ms. Shevtsova’s POLINA co-stars include Niels Schneider (Xavier Dolan’s Heartbeats and I Killed My Mother) and former Paris Opéra star dancer Jérémie Bélingard. Juliette Binoche collaborated with contemporary dancer-choreographer Akram Khan in 2009 to create "In-I”, a dance-theatre work which premiered at London’s National Theatre before being staged at BAM, Paris’ Théatre de la Ville, Brussels’ La Monnaie and the Sydney Opera House.

Valérie Müller has produced and directed several documentaries and shorts. POLINA is her second feature film, co-directed with her husband, Angelin Preljocaj. One of the most celebrated contemporary choreographers,  Mr. Preljocaj is the founder of Ballets Preljocaj whose creations have become repertory around the world. His work is commissioned by dance companies such as New York City Ballet. La Scala, and the Paris Opera. Mr. Preljocaj has received numerous awards, including the Bessie Award, the Grand Prix National de la Danse awarded by the French Ministry of Culture, and the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement. Since 2006, Ballet Preljocaj and its 24 permanent dancers have resided at the Pavillon Noir in Aix-en-Provence. He has directed several films about dance and collaborated on ELDORADO/PRELJOCAJ, a documentary directed by Olivier Assayas.