Dancer (2016) - full transcript
Sergei Polunin is a breathtaking ballet talent who questions his existence and his commitment to dance just as he is about to become a legend.
- [breathing deeply]
[instrumental music]
II
[music swelling]
II
[gentle harp music]
[orchestra warming up]
[indistinct chatter]
It's for my heart.
This for energy.
I always perform on it.
Always leave a little bit
for second act.
- [over intercom]
Attention, dancers.
The show will begin
in 20 minutes.
- I heard it was, like, some
of it was made for US. army.
It's like, I won't even remember
performance.
It's like crazy kick in.
Nurofen.
20 minutes.
[steady drumbeat]
II
In a bit,
I will get so high.
[electronic guitar music]
- ♪ I am Iron Mani
- That's it. Let's go.
II
[indistinct chatter]
- [over intercom] All patrons."
please take your seats.
The orchestra is ready.
And so are the artists.
The show will begin shortly.
II
[cheers and applause]
II
- May I have your autograph?
- Of course.
- Why do you need his autograph?
All you need is for him
to look into your eyes.
[laughter]
- Sergei Polunin's
athleticism, artistry,
and temperament
have drawn comparisons
with Rudolf Nureyev.
- Girls, let us through, please!
- Mama, I want a photo with him!
[cameras clicking]
- The 23-year-old
Ukrainian-born dancer
is regularly hailed as
the greatest of his generation
but also
one of the most unpredictable.
- I Has he lost his mind I
I Can he see
or is he blind I
- He has the elevation,
the jump, the spins.
It's almost
too good to be true.
- His walk is arrogance.
He's a god.
You cannot
keep your eyes off him.
II
- I Is he alive or dead I
I Has he thoughts
within his head I
I We'll just... I
- Dancers have to be tough,
and they have to understand
every time they go out,
they've got to be excellent.
- They become so immersed
and so concentrated
in trying to get the success
that that means
ifs a detriment
to every other thing
that they do in their life.
II
- Polunin has spoken frankly
in the past
about recreational drugs,
depression,
his often strained
artistic relationships.
Oh, and he doesn't turn up
for interviews.
[tattoo machine buzzing]
II
- The audience were shocked.
Why is he not happy?
What can we do
to make him happy?
And he's like, "Well, nothing."
He pushed and pushed
and pushed,
and that's why at the end,
he just exploded.
II
[boat horn blows]
[bell clangs]
[engine rumbling]
[seagulls calling]
- {grew up in Kherson.
It's the southern of Ukraine.
Everybody was poor.
You know, nobody had money.
And when everybody's poor,
you don? fee! the difference.
And when you're a kid,
especially.
You're just having fun.
You don'? know any troubles.
[soft piano music]
- When Sergei was born,
I remember
the maternity nurse came
to check for defects
in the joints.
She spread his legs apart
the normal amount,
but they just kept
spreading apart.
The nurse got scared.
She wasn't expecting that.
He was flexible from birth.
- I remember
I didn't enjoy school.
I didn't enjoy
sitting at the desk.
So I loved gymnastics.
- In Kherson,
the situation
was not very promising.
I was always
thinking about his future.
- And now
for the third-place award.
Sergei Polunin.
[applause]
- Boys first have to do
gymnastics.
Then the trainer says
What's next.
Ballet or more gymnastics.
I knew it had to be ballet.
I just had this gut feeling
that this was the right
decision, and it was.
II
- {love ballet
and f took as gymnastics.
You know, I was like,
“S want to be the best.“
And I didn't know
Where it will take me.
[applause]
- He was Mile, playful.
He didn't yet understand
Why he was here.
He was long,
flexible, strong.
But he had a problem.
We had to redo his muscles.
He had the muscles
of a gymnast,
and for ballet, they need
to be long, classical-looking.
- Galina lvanovna was the one
that made him fall in love
with dancing.
Watching his shows
at the school...
I remember
I had tears in my eyes
when my little crumb
came out onstage
and began to improvise a ballet.
[man singing operatically]
II
- I did have a happy childhood,
you know?
My mom mainly raised me,
bull loved spending time
with my dad.
[applause]
- In Kherson,
We spent a lot of time
together.
We enjoyed the outdoors,
went to the beach,
wrestled, and fooled around.
I refused to believe
we were going to be separated.
II
[classical piano music]
II
- When l dance,
I don't think how I dance.
H's who I am.
II
Ballet is just putting
the restriction on the dancing,
like some directions to it.
But I dance just how I-
you know, how I feel,
how my body moves.
II
And when you take off
and you hover in the air
and your body
lets you do that,
you know,
those couple of seconds,
it's worth, like, dancing for.
[bouncy piano music]
II
[majestic orchestral music]
II
[applause]
[cheers and applause]
[soft instrumental music]
II
- I Wanted him
to accomplish something...
So that he could live
a better life than We did.
The choreographic school
in Kiev
was the best school
in the Ukraine.
But to study in that school,
it was impossible,
because H was very expensive.
[indistinct chatter]
- Turns out Dad
is the breadwinner,
and to enable Sergei
to go to the school in Kiev,
Grandma and I drew straws
to decide who would go where.
Grandma left for Greece,
and I left for Portugal.
Galina stayed with Sergei.
- Vlad went in one direction
and you the other.
- Yes.
- That enabled them
to pay Sergei's tuition.
II
- When I was nine years old,
my grandma went to work
to Greece.
My dad went to work to Portugal
to support me.
And me and my mom went to Kiev.
That's when, I guess,
fun was over.
- Assemble and then relevé.
Can you do it,
or are you scared?
- I'm not scared.
- Well, then!
- It's okay if it's
not right at first.
Just practice!
- My life in Kiev was
ballet class in the morning,
some academics,
and then ballet in the evening.
- Sergei, what was that?
Don't try too hard!
You should be natural.
- At home,
my mom would make me stretch,
and I would sit in a split
for hours, watching TV.
I think she was angry
with her parents,
that they didn't push her,
so she makes sure
she pushed me enough,
you know,
that I don't have that regret.
II
- AH I had were his problems,
his school, his practices...
Do it again!
His homework,
tailoring for him.
I had no life of my own in Kiev.
- Higher!
See, that's it!
I'm hardly holding him!
That's it!
- I did feel a lot of pressure
when I was in Kiev
because my family moved
around the World to support me.
I really did.
- In Portugal,
{met some Germans,
and I worked as their gardener.
All the money I earned,
I sent to Galina.
- I Worked taking care
of an aged grandmother.
It was so difficult,
morally and physically.
I felt so sorry for myself.
[laughs]
- We clearly had a team.
And this little boy
was our hope.
- Sergei was accepted into
the Kiev Choreographic School.
In the same year,
he won second piece
at the National
Ballet Competition.
Sergei, what are you
passionate about?
- I have a lot of passions,
but my favorite is dancing.
I want my dancing
to give people joy.
I want my figure
to be more beautiful.
To get skinnier
so that it's pleasant
to took at me.
To be the best
so that I am remembered.
[dramatic rock music]
II
- After a couple of years
in that school,
he was already the best student
in his class.
But I Wanted to make sure
he could reach the top.
II
I then realized
that it would be much better
for him to study abroad.
II
I took photos, made a video,
and mailed it all.
We got the invitation
for an audition.
So we went.
[upbeat music]
II
- Ladies and gentlemen,
We have started our descent
and will shortly be landing
at London Heathrow.
II
- London was very different
from Ukraine.
Everything was beautiful
and magical.
- Sergei took out the camera
and filmed.
We laughed a lot!
- We spent long time
to find the school
because ifs in the middle
of the park.
Mom, are you filming the deer?
H was deers outside, parrots.
School looked like a painting.
It felt like I was
in a "Harry Potter" World.
- When We arrived
at the Royal School,
there were a lot of children.
He auditioned,
then a teacher came out
and said
to expect the results
that Monday.
A whole week passed by,
and we stopped waiting.
Serezha is ready to eat.
But then we received
a letter saying,
"We're happy to accept you
to the Royal Ballet Academy."
And I remember being so happy
to hear that he got in.
But...
Complications began
with my visa.
I could have stayed illegally,
but H would have compromised
the status
of Sergei's documents.
I didn't want 10 risk H.
[somber piano music]
- Being far away, you lose
familiarity with each other.
When Sergei went to London,
I didn't see him for six years.
- Our family practically
separated by itself.
Everybody parted
like ships at sea.
- He didn't know a Word
in English.
It was really hard
to let him go, to say good-bye.
[sniffles]
That was my ultimate sacrifice.
[crying]
I didn't know what to do
without him.
After he was gone,
I couldn't put myself together
for a Whole year.
II
- Whose camera is that?
- Mine.
- Is it?
- Yeah!
- Serious?
- Yeah.
[laughter]
[bell tolling]
[laid-back guitar music]
- I Where do we go,
nobody knows I
II
I I've got to say
I'm on my way down I
II
I God, give me style
and give me grace I
II
I God, put a smile
upon my face I
II
- The Royal Ballet school
is really good at picking kids.
Like, thousands of kids turn up
to audition for 13, 14 places.
So they know exactly
what they're looking for.
And Sergei, you could
just see it in abundance.
He just had so much,
you know, raw talent.
- He was always Way ahead
than everybody.
I used to call him the...
the graceful beast
or something like this.
Because he's sort of
like a lion, you know,
the way he tackles a step.
But then as soon
as the step is airborne,
it's just so in control
and clean and pure,
which is a really rare mix.
II
He was always in the studio
right until the school closed.
He was really dedicated.
- I would do ballet class
twice more than normal kids
because I knew that's my chance
to get my family back together.
And I knew
if Pm gonna mess it up,
they're gonna
just send me home.
- Sergei, is that
one of our T-shirts'?
- No!
- Oh, Sergei!
[indistinct chatter]
[lively piano music]
II
- His dancing standard
was so high,
they bumped Sergei up
three years.
II
- You can tell he was the best.
You can tell
he was gonna be famous.
You can tell he's going to do
the best he can.
And you can tell he's gonna be
over every single one,
you know, in the class,
and he did.
[dramatic piano music]
II
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
- First year,
he was learning parts
that corps de ballet
don't Seam.
In his second year,
he was {earning
soloist and principal parts,
which never happens.
He was inspirational to watch.
II
[applause]
- The school, of course,
was very aware of his talent,
and they pushed him
in Whichever Way possible.
But we had a lot of fun
when we were in school.
I mean, we got
in a lot of trouble.
- Sal is smoking.
He's so bad.
- Oh, shut up!
[laughter]
Get it off, you twat!
- It's for my mum.
[laughter]
Jade is smoking.
I'm smoking, but not really.
We need more shots.
- No, no more shots.
- Yeah. Definitely.
I'm not-
I'm sober.
[laughter]
- [whispering] This is a pen,
and that's Sergei.
And we're gonna draw
on his face.
Okay? Okay.
[Upbeat pop music]
II
- Sergei used to arrive
at parties
and drink a stupid amount
of alcohol
for the first 20 minutes,
party really hard
for ten minutes,
and then knockout deed.
And I mean knockout deed.
Like, just knocked out,
you know.
No nothing.
Unconscious.
So people started to...
First of all, it was toothpaste.
Then H was drawing.
- I Like a shotgun
needs an outcome I
- Then we actually once-
and I'm guilty of that-
we shaved one of his eyebrow.
And that was a week
before his big competition.
And he won the competition,
the Grand Prix.
And that's Why there is
actually this famous picture-
Not many people would notice
because it's very slight.
But there is a picture of him,
like, getting a medal,
and if you actually look close,
you can see slightly here,
he still didn't
quite grow back.
[laughs]
So...
I mean, we understand that it
was a dangerous thing to do
because we had the blade
close to his eyes,
but we know that
when he's out, he's out.
- Sergei. Wake up.
- Fuck off.
- Come on.
- Will!
- What do you mean Will?
I'm Jade.
Sergei, come on.
- I Got you around my finger I
- Sergei.
He's a knob.
- I Like a lonely
lover's charm I
- Serezha.
- Sergei, I think
he's always suffered silently.
We sort of
cheered each other up.
We never really wanted
to bring each other down
by talking about, like, whatever
our families were going through.
- I do remember when we did talk
about his family,
he always made it seem
like there was a family.
And then I guess
when we became friends,
when we became closer friends
and you find out
more about each other,
it became clear
that they were separate.
[somber music]
II
- After Sergei's
first year there,
the divorce happened.
- When my mom told me
that they are divorcing...
I was in dormitories for kids,
and I was probably 15.
And I remember there was,
like, kids at the back,
and somebody was, like,
teasing me or something,
and I was just like,
"What the..."
But...
So I guess I was
more angry with my mom
because she was the one.
- Sergei called me in Portugal
and, with a certain pity
toward me, started asking,
"How are you?
How are things going?"
I couldn't tell him about it.
Then I found out
that he already knew.
[indistinct chatter]
- One of the most important
things is family.
And by doing ballet,
I hoped I would bring them
more and more together,
but I wasn't able
to bring them together.
I Wasn't able to make
everything fine and good.
There was-
You know, I was so upset
that I was like,
"I'm never gonna be upset again
"and I never will feel sorry
for anybody.
"I will never miss anybody,
and I don't want any memories
about anything."
II
And that was last time I cried
for years.
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
- From day one, you cannot
give him anything at all
except principal.
And he was a soloist
because that's the way it works.
But then he was too big
for a soloist.
II
For him, it's more a role
like a bronze idol.
You know,
people used to look at him
and not look at the principal.
You know, he was too big.
II
[cheers and applause]
And that's
why they gave it to him
as a principal.
- The fastest that's come
through the company.
The youngest principal
the Royal Ballet's ever seen.
Because he was that good,
and you could see it.
[rock music]
- I Having trouble telling I
I How I feel but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I Couldn't possibly tell you I
I How I mean but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I So when I trip on my feet I
I Look at the beat,
the words are I
I Written in the sand I
I When I'm shaking my hips... I
- That's What
everyone Worked for
every day
at the Royal Ballet School
was to be
in the Royal Ballet Company
and to be a famous principal
there.
II
- I I was a dancer all along I
- Whoa.
- I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
- He was amazing
because there is rules
and regulations in the ballet.
H's choreography, you know.
You have to do it
a certain way.
For him, if you go
and see him Monday
and you went to see him
on a Wednesday,
he didn't do the same thing.
He will do something
different in it.
He will follow the rules
of the ballet,
but he will put something
that belongs to him in it.
- I I was a dancer all along I
- And, you know,
the audience flock there.
- People book their tickets
to see him perform
two years into the future.
- I Words can never make up
for what you do I
- That's incredible.
- I Dance, dance, dance I
- He was performing so Well,
but he was really reluctant
to dance
in front of his mom
and his dad.
And the Whole time
he was in the Royal Ballet,
his family never saw him,
which, you know,
it's really weird.
[somber music]
- My mother was very demanding
when I was a kid,
sol promised myself
never Set her watch me
because I was angry.
- l asked Sergei, and he said,
"Please don't come.
I get really stressed out
when you watch me dance."
- It was hard
for me to get a visa,
being from
the former Soviet Union.
- So we never went.
[cameras clicking]
- After his parents divorced,
Sergei's motivation changed
and he felt like, you know,
"What's the reason
for me dancing?
What's the reason
for me pushing this hard?“
[cheers and applause]
I think,
Whenever you have a goal
and there's no reason
behind your goal,
with anyone,
it's gonna end badly.
[rock music]
II
- The life
of a principal dancer
in a company
like the Royal Ballet
is famously tough.
Their lifestyle needs to be one
of self-control
or even abstinence.
- Sometimes he didn't
come to class
for three or four days,
you know.
And the day before,
he will say,
"Oh, what's on tonight?"
And I will say,
"Oh, Nutcracker.“
"Oh, yeah."
- You've admitted in the past
that you danced on drugs
or after taking cocaine,
and you claimed
you dance better.
- When you take
some painkiller or cocaine,
you don't feel pain,
so you enjoy yourself.
- And you're talking
as if that was in the past.
You don't dance
with the aid of drugs anymore?
- Uh...
[laughs]
[cheers and applause]
- There was discussion
of partying at clubs,
his skipping of rehearsals,
and purchasing a tattoo salon.
[tattoo machine buzzing]
- When f found out
Sergei had eight tattoos,
I almost lost consciousness,
honestly.
[cheers and applause]
- Polunin said that,
“I don't have enough friends
and parties,
and sometimes
such things are important."
- He's often used Twitter
to talk about nights out.
“Party time.
Probably no point
in going to sheep tonight.“
"Just Woke up at 4:30 sideways,
and the lights are still on."
- I didn't know
about his tweets.
Only when the bad press
started,
then I saw what he was doing.
- He was on the phone
with "Daily Mail."
He was on the phone
with the “Times?
He was so controversial.
The media propelled him
to stardom in a way.
II
- The company pushed him
to the max.
Rehearsals until 7:00
in the evening
and then a show
and finish at 10.00.
- You haven't got time
to do anything else, really.
- Every now and again,
you'll have one or two dancers
who are in everything.
And so they feel-
they get exhausted.
- I think, from there,
things started to slowly
crumble in his head.
- I told them, you know,
like, I want some help,
you know?
- He was thinking, like,
"Okay, what's next?"
But there was nothing next.
[cheers and applause]
- The applause
and people Waiting for him
at the stage door.
Everybody adore him.
Letters coming up.
That kind of thing that you get.
It was a kind of substitute
for what he couldn't get
because he was away from home.
- He told me, "Don't worry.
Everythings good."
Well, it wasn't good.
But that's what he said.
- He was clearly missing
his family.
That was our mistake.
[seagulls calling]
- That morning,
he Went in to work
and he came back
halfway through the day.
And it was...
I think it was
one of them things
where he was fighting
with himself.
"Do I want to do this or not?"
- I woke up;
it was everything fine.
The rehearsal didn't go well.
And then I sat down
and I just made the decision.
[dramatic music]
- Now, he was
the Royal Ballet's
youngest-ever
male principal dancer,
but yesterday,
22-year-old Sergei Polunin
suddenly walked out of his job
amid claims
that life in the company
was too restrictive.
- We were having a Chinese meal
in Chinatown,
and I was facing
a television.
And we were just eating,
and I said,
"Oh, you're on television."
And he said, "What?"
- Now the Royal Ballet has been
rocked by the departure
of its youngest-ever
principal male dancer.
- Sergei Polunin, a Ukrainian,
shocked the dance world
in January...
- Ukrainian-born dancer
Sergei Polunin
was given the name
"the bad boy of ballet"
after his scandalous departure
from the Royal Ballet of London.
- For a 22-year-old dancer
who's done so much for us,
who has so much promise,
to leave us at this point
is shocking.
[melancholy music]
- I Will you let me
out of here I
I Will you let me out I
I Will you let me... I
- He really was
just going through a lot.
And people were expecting him
to make statements,
to make interviews,
to express his feelings
of why he left.
I think the press forgets
that he's still in his 20s.
- I Oh, it's been so long I
I Will you let me out of here I
- Principal
at the Royal Ballet.
- No, principal-
principal at question mark, no?
- Exactly.
- Hey.
- Still can't take off
his shoes.
- [laughs]
Sergei,
don't take your socks off!
Oh, wow.
- When he came home,
I could see the relief
on his face.
- Wait, wait, wait.
- I'm gonna take-
I'm gonna lie down in the snow.
You have to take a picture
of me just lying down there.
- It was the first time
in his life
he was finally free.
[laughter]
II
- Ahh!
[laughter]
II
- Sergei.
- Thanks.
And I wanted to dance
but not in London.
- Oh, shit.
- I Wanted always to go
to America after Royal Ballet,
but nobody would accept me.
And they didn't-
I guess they didn't
want to risk it.
And they thought
I was crazy, you know.
II
So I had to go to Russia...
Which Wasn't in my plans.
[dramatic musical flourish]
[cheers and applause]
- Ladies and gentlemen...
- And those watching at home...
- We are excited
to bring you our newest show...
both: "Big Ballet"!
[cheers and applause]
- Our first contestant
is Sergei Polunin.
Sergei recently left London
for Moscow.
- Did you know Sergei
is a real star in London?
The papers are constantly
writing about him!
From London to Moscow
especially for this show,
Sergei Polunin.
[applause]
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
[cheers and applause]
- Vladimir,
your verdict, please.
- Ten.
- Thank you.
Azzari?
- Ten.
- Thank you.
- Ten.
- Thank you!
[cheers and applause]
Vladymir?
- Ten.
- A perfect performance!
- When Sergei got to Russia,
he didn't get the value
he deserved
from being a principal
at the Royal Ballet.
- I see scars on your body.
These scars are not real,
so what are they for?
- They are tattoos.
- I get that.
But Why'd you get so many?
- Um...
- What's this say?
- "Dirty Money."
- Why?
- I like the song.
- Whose song is it?
- P. Diddy.
- He should have been
a mega star,
and instead he was on a TV show
trying to prove himself
to the Russian audience.
That's one of the hardest
audiences to prove yourself to
in the ballet world.
- Recently, Sergei Won
the "Big Ballet" competition,
becoming a name
in his new homeland.
[laid-back music]
II
- And in Russia,
there was Igor Zelensky,
who wasn't scared,
you know,
and who I believed in
and who believed in me.
- Sergei is loved
by the people.
He has so much going for him
as a dancer-
his jump, his charisma,
his physique.
In our modern-day ballet,
he is exceptional.
- I You say you don't belong I
- Igor showed up
at just the right time.
{always wanted Sergei to have
a person who was older
because he responds
to authority.
And in that area,
Igor is really capable.
- Igor is one of the most
famous dancers in Russia.
If Igor is your friend,
you can be a superstar,
and that's how much power
he has.
II
- I I know what comfort
you are I
- West and East,
they are two separate Worlds.
So when I went to Russia,
I had to build my name
from beginning.
- I Comfort you are I
II
- Igor was a father figure.
I think that was an easy part
for Sergei to accept
after his father was away
and his family was broken.
- f was watching TV,
and in a show, they said
that lgor Zelensky
had replaced me.
I was hurt.
Because until he was nine,
I was always with him.
- I think Sergei thought
when you go away
that you're gonna have
some exciting experience.
And I guess,
when he went to Russia,
a lot of it was
at the beginning.
- The romance between Polunin
and Russia has lasted
for over one and a half years.
After the Moscow premiere
of "Paquita, "
the standing ovation lasts
for ten minutes.
The dancers once again
go out to bow.
- Are you serious?
- This is it.
- They won't clap anymore
after this.
[cheers and applause]
- I I know what comfort
you are I
II
- For first two years
in Russia,
everything was new.
New ballets,
classical ballets I never did.
But yeah, after a while,
{felt the same as in London.
H was getting very repetitive.
II
- Russia didn't give him
What he Wanted.
Instead of a step up
was, you know, a side step.
- I I know what comfort
you are I
I I know what comfort
you are I
"SERGEI POLUNIN
AND IGOR ZELENSKY IN SPARTACUS"
[man singing operatically]
II
[orchestra warming up]
- Polina.
Could you cover me up, please?
- Of course.
- F hated the fact
that f had to dance
and you have to do H.
Don't, the costume
will cover it.
Don't!
- Okay.
- It's like,
Why do you have to do anything?
You know?
Because you're good at it.
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
[applause]
[melancholy orchestral music]
II
Every time I dance
and I get tired,
I'm just like, “Why am I
doing this,“ you know?
I cannot skip a day
because Pm in too much pain.
And if I skip a day,
and I'm like-
my shoulders get stuck
and my back starts to hurt.
So you-you feel
like a prisoner to the...
to your body,
to the urge to dance.
Polina, where's the water?
- Over there.
- Where's there? Why's it there?
All right, go.
Go get the water.
[labored breathing]
[frenzied orchestral music]
II
[cheers and applause]
- [groans] So tired.
- Do you need help
with something?
- No, thanks.
- Beliefs tedious.
And ifs deteriorating.
Ballet requires a lot
of motivation and discipline.
And I think he lost that.
- Hang in there, Sergei.
- Thanks.
- You finish your training,
you're 19 years old.
You started when you were,
like, four or five.
And the time it's finished
and the time you've got a second
to, like, step back
and look at your life,
your whole entire Childhood's
gone.
You can't really
do anything else
because you might get injured.
And you put
so much time and effort,
the time you get to the end,
you think, "You know what?
"I'm gonna have to go
and, you know,
be a professional dancer."
- Ballet takes a lot of energy
from you, and it's...
You're getting skinny.
Like, your body's, like-
You have no energy.
You have no fresh thoughts.
Then getting my own,
like, demons in a way.
You know, when I don't see
the way forward.
[applause]
[indistinct chatter]
Millions of people,
millions of opinions.
And when people tell me, like,
“Oh, you should do it
that way,“
it's like, "Why do/
have to listen to you?"
- We'd Skype-
And I was like, you know,
"What do you do?"
And he was like,
"I just sit in my apartment
on my own.“
- How nice that the laces
are only dyed on one side.
[tense music]
II
ls there water over there?
- Where you left it.
Will you have time
in between to drink?
I'll go refill
and put it to the side
for when I won't have time.
Before they kill you.
- It's too late.
II
Every time I go onstage,
ifs a fight
with your own emotions,
with tiredness, anger,
frustration.
[coughing]
- I was trying to help him
do what he wanted.
Because ballet
is a young persons business.
It's important
not to waste time.
II
- I didn't choose ballet.
H was my mom's choice.
And I always hoped
I will get injured
so I Wouldn't have an option
to dance anymore.
II
[train horn blows]
- Tea. Tea.
- Tea? Sure.
Come on in.
[cat meows]
- What did you say
to the cat?
- Nothing.
- Food was not promised.
Well, that was
a pretty serious decision.
Because I didn't see
any prospects
for you in Kherson.
I didn't see any at all.
You remember, don't you,
that I always sat at gymnastics
and waited for you?
It wasn't because
I liked being there.
I had no money
to take the trolley back home.
On the other hand,
I saw prospects
for you in Kiev.
Of course, I didn't know
anything about ballet.
I didn't understand
anything about it.
But I saw that it made sense
to move to Kiev.
And I thought, "We'll move,
then figure out the rest."
We had to spend
so much money...
the apartment,
your education.
Everything was very expensive.
That's why I was so strict.
That's why I expected
a lot from you.
- But I wanted
to achieve things by myself.
You didn't trust me.
But I knew
I could do it myself.
- What do you mean
I didn't trust you?
I controlled you.
- Well, controlling me
is not trusting me.
- Actually,
it's belief in you.
- Well, it was
very stressful for me
that Dad and Grandma left.
- Well, that's life.
There's always responsibility.
One can't be without
any responsibility to anyone.
Every person must be responsible
for something.
- Galina did everything
systematically.
She always knew where to go.
Where to drive to,
where to arrive at,
with whom to practice.
Sergei got lucky
with a mom like that.
[melancholy music]
II
- Hello.
- Galina lvanovna!
Galina lvanovna! Hello.
- [laughs] Galina.
Hello. It's great to see you.
- My sunshine!
- This is for you.
Everythings new here.
- You used to perform
on this stage. Remember?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I remember.
[indistinct chatter]
II
- Remember
What you used to dance to?
- Pavarotti, yes!
Pavarotti,
I danced everywhere.
- For you,
it's like a talisman.
- Well, yeah.
As a matter of fact, it is.
My first show in Kiev
was Pavarotti.
- Do you remember
what you called him?
I asked, "What music do you want
for your improv?"
You said, "What I had
the previous lesson."
I said, "Well, I don't remember.
Maybe you remember what disc?"
And you said,
"The one with some dude
with a beard on it!"
[laughter]
That's what you were like.
[man singing operatically]
II
- Let's go get Galina lvanovna!
II
- [laughs]
II
[applause]
- Children, come over!
[indistinct chatter]
[laughter]
[scattered applause]
[melancholy music]
II
- When Sergei was young,
he loved to dance.
He danced with his very soul
and transported himself
right into the music.
II
- We were meant to go
on holiday to Spain
and we were about
to go to Spain,
and he was like,
“Dude, we can? go.“
And I was really pissed off,
and I was like, “Oh, man,
I've been Waiting all summer."
And he said,
“5 need some help
"And, you know, a friend
to just hang outwith
and, you know..."
And yeah,
of course I'm gonna come.
Yeah.
- I want to do, like,
a different style
from classical style.
Um...
I want to have
a lot of dancing
but a lot of emotions too.
So it's gonna be...
- He told me, "/ don't Want
to do this anymore,
and I would like you
to choreograph my {est dance.“
And I didn't say
anything to him.
He's old enough now
to make his own decisions.
I didn't try and, like,
fight him on it, like I used to.
What's the music?
- The music is
"Take Me To Church."
It's amazing song.
- All right, well,
as soon as I listen to the music
and feel the vibe,
and then we can try
and build some type
of, like, story line to it.
[soft piano music]
II
Being his best friend,
being one of the closest people
to him,
I can't say I was surprised
because I guess
I knew it was coming.
But the fact that he can just
stop it all,
I think it would-
I think it would crush
a lot of people.
II
As soon as you catch heaven...
Barn, barn.
II
Barn, barn, barn.
I'm trying to tell a story
to Sergei's fans.
I didn't want to make
everything too obvious,
but I definitely know
that when people see the piece,
the fact
that he worked so hard,
problems that he's had,
they'll get it straightaway,
and if this is his last dance,
I think it's a great dance.
II
- So what time do you think
you're gonna be doing this?
- Tomorrow around 9:00.
- So "Take Me To Church,"
it's not a music video,
you know?
So it's the opposite.
It's just, like, you know,
really showing off
Sergei's artistry,
his physicality,
his height of his jumps.
This is kind of a key.
So what we should do, Jade-
or maybe we should do
a quick run-through,
even if we don't do
all the jumps right now.
I don't know
if you're warmed up or not.
So you could just say,
"Okay, big jump,"
and you can just
kind of walk it through.
- Earlier.
- Right now, we've got
a 5:40 a.m. call,
so you want to start at 3:45?
- Tomorrow?
Are we shooting
at another location?
[voices fading]
[somber music]
II
- Watch your head.
- Okay, that's good.
Good, good.
[indistinct chatter]
[smoke whooshing]
- Can you get me a flathead,
Danny?
II
- I did everything dance
I Wanted to do.
And I just Want to get
a normal life now.
- Okay, roll music.
[waves crashing]
[melancholy music]
II
- I My lover's got humor I
I She's the giggle
at a funeral I
I Knows everybody's
disapproval I
I I should've worshipped her
sooner
I If the heavens
ever did speak I
I She's the last
true mouthpiece I
I Every Sunday's
getting more bleak I
I A fresh poison each week I
I We were born sick I
I You heard them say it I
I My church offers
no absolutes I
I She tells me,
worship in the bedroom I
I The only heaven
I'll be sent to I
I ls when I'm alone with you I
I I was born sick I
I But I love it I
I Command me to be we“ I
Hey
I Amen I
I Amen I
I Amen I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
II
I If I'm a pagan
of the good times I
I My lover's the sunlight I
I To keep the goddess
on my side I
I She demands a sacrifice I
I Drain the whole sea I
I Get something shiny I
I Something meaty
for the main course I
I That's a fine-looking
high horse I
I What you got in the stable I
I We've a lot
of starving faithful I
I That looks tasty I
I That looks plenty I
I This is hungry work I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
so you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
my deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
so you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
my deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
II
I No masters or kings I
I When the ritual begins I
I There is no sweeter innocence
I Than our gentle sin I
I In the madness and soil I
I Of that sad earthly scene I
I Only then I am human I
I Only then I am clean I
Oh
I Oh, amen I
I Amen I
I Amen I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
II
- While I was dancing
"Take Me To Church,"
I didn't talk to anybody.
ll was a long shoot,
and almost all those hours,
I was crying.
Everything went through
my mind,
what Pm leaving behind.
I thought I just
could Walk away.
It would be...
H would be easy.
- I think a lot of people think
that Sergei
needs to keep dancing.
That's a hard thing, though,
because not everyone's Sergei.
And he must have
a lot of pressure on him.
[gentle piano music]
II
- [laughing] You're push-
- Throw me up high.
- loan? throw you up high,
darling.
One day, you will jump
as high as he jumps, okay'?
II
[shears snipping]
[razor buzzing]
[piano music]
II
[indistinct chatter]
' See?
When Sergei worked here,
there were a lot
of pictures of him.
They took them away.
- When Sergei was Mile,
I didn't understand family
is the main thing.
I understood that I had
to feed my family.
If I could turn back time,
I would've spent
more time with them.
II
[cheers and applause]
II
I never thought
I'd be at one
of Sergei's concerts.
As I watched him,
I couldn't believe my eyes.
It's just impossible
to explain.
II
- I used to get very nervous
when my parents were watching,
but I think it's a joint effort
where I'm at.
And I don't know why,
but for some reason,
now it feels good
to share it with them.
II
[cheers and applause]
[indistinct chatter]
- Oh, look who's here!
- Dad!
- Hi.
[laughter]
Great job!
- Goodness, how great it is
to see you!
Thank you so much, sweetheart.
- You're so warm!
- Yeah?
- You must be so tired!
Forgive me.
- Forgive you? For what?
- Oh, goodness, my love.
I love you so much.
You are the best!
The very best!
- How long
have we not seen each other?
- A year and a half.
A year and a half, right?
A year and a half.
- Well, we have to do it
more often from now on!
- Do try.
- My sweetheart.
- F would He if! would say
f don'? love dancing.
Because it is
the most enjoyable time
when you're actually
at your top
and you are dancing
through the air.
You jump, and then this is...
you know, this is who you are.
- Take a picture of us
and Sergei.
Just don't cover the camera.
Don't put your hand there.
We made a lot of sacrifices.
We tried to give him
everything we've got.
We did everything we could.
And if necessary,
We would do it all again.
- Sergei, darling...
come over here.
- To your family.
- Show the camera
how tough you are!
- That's enough.
[bright instrumental music]
II
[rock music]
II
- I Having trouble telling I
I How I feel but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I Couldn't possibly tell you I
I How I mean but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I So when I trip on my feet I
I Look at the beat,
the words are I
I Written in the sand I
I When I'm shaking my hips I
I Look for the swing I
I The words are I
I Written in the air I
II
I Oh, dance I
I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
II
I Easy conversations I
I No such thing I
I No, I'm shy, shy, shy I
I My hips, they lie
'cause in reality I
I Aye, I'm shy, shy, shy I
I When I trip on my feet I
I Look at the ground,
the words are I
I Written in the dust I
I When I'm shaking my hips I
I Look for the swing I
I The words are I
I Written in the air I
I Oh, dance I
I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
II
I Oh, dance I
I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Oh, I was a dancer
all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
- I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
- I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Now words can never make up
for what you do I
- I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
[instrumental music]
II
[music swelling]
II
[gentle harp music]
[orchestra warming up]
[indistinct chatter]
It's for my heart.
This for energy.
I always perform on it.
Always leave a little bit
for second act.
- [over intercom]
Attention, dancers.
The show will begin
in 20 minutes.
- I heard it was, like, some
of it was made for US. army.
It's like, I won't even remember
performance.
It's like crazy kick in.
Nurofen.
20 minutes.
[steady drumbeat]
II
In a bit,
I will get so high.
[electronic guitar music]
- ♪ I am Iron Mani
- That's it. Let's go.
II
[indistinct chatter]
- [over intercom] All patrons."
please take your seats.
The orchestra is ready.
And so are the artists.
The show will begin shortly.
II
[cheers and applause]
II
- May I have your autograph?
- Of course.
- Why do you need his autograph?
All you need is for him
to look into your eyes.
[laughter]
- Sergei Polunin's
athleticism, artistry,
and temperament
have drawn comparisons
with Rudolf Nureyev.
- Girls, let us through, please!
- Mama, I want a photo with him!
[cameras clicking]
- The 23-year-old
Ukrainian-born dancer
is regularly hailed as
the greatest of his generation
but also
one of the most unpredictable.
- I Has he lost his mind I
I Can he see
or is he blind I
- He has the elevation,
the jump, the spins.
It's almost
too good to be true.
- His walk is arrogance.
He's a god.
You cannot
keep your eyes off him.
II
- I Is he alive or dead I
I Has he thoughts
within his head I
I We'll just... I
- Dancers have to be tough,
and they have to understand
every time they go out,
they've got to be excellent.
- They become so immersed
and so concentrated
in trying to get the success
that that means
ifs a detriment
to every other thing
that they do in their life.
II
- Polunin has spoken frankly
in the past
about recreational drugs,
depression,
his often strained
artistic relationships.
Oh, and he doesn't turn up
for interviews.
[tattoo machine buzzing]
II
- The audience were shocked.
Why is he not happy?
What can we do
to make him happy?
And he's like, "Well, nothing."
He pushed and pushed
and pushed,
and that's why at the end,
he just exploded.
II
[boat horn blows]
[bell clangs]
[engine rumbling]
[seagulls calling]
- {grew up in Kherson.
It's the southern of Ukraine.
Everybody was poor.
You know, nobody had money.
And when everybody's poor,
you don? fee! the difference.
And when you're a kid,
especially.
You're just having fun.
You don'? know any troubles.
[soft piano music]
- When Sergei was born,
I remember
the maternity nurse came
to check for defects
in the joints.
She spread his legs apart
the normal amount,
but they just kept
spreading apart.
The nurse got scared.
She wasn't expecting that.
He was flexible from birth.
- I remember
I didn't enjoy school.
I didn't enjoy
sitting at the desk.
So I loved gymnastics.
- In Kherson,
the situation
was not very promising.
I was always
thinking about his future.
- And now
for the third-place award.
Sergei Polunin.
[applause]
- Boys first have to do
gymnastics.
Then the trainer says
What's next.
Ballet or more gymnastics.
I knew it had to be ballet.
I just had this gut feeling
that this was the right
decision, and it was.
II
- {love ballet
and f took as gymnastics.
You know, I was like,
“S want to be the best.“
And I didn't know
Where it will take me.
[applause]
- He was Mile, playful.
He didn't yet understand
Why he was here.
He was long,
flexible, strong.
But he had a problem.
We had to redo his muscles.
He had the muscles
of a gymnast,
and for ballet, they need
to be long, classical-looking.
- Galina lvanovna was the one
that made him fall in love
with dancing.
Watching his shows
at the school...
I remember
I had tears in my eyes
when my little crumb
came out onstage
and began to improvise a ballet.
[man singing operatically]
II
- I did have a happy childhood,
you know?
My mom mainly raised me,
bull loved spending time
with my dad.
[applause]
- In Kherson,
We spent a lot of time
together.
We enjoyed the outdoors,
went to the beach,
wrestled, and fooled around.
I refused to believe
we were going to be separated.
II
[classical piano music]
II
- When l dance,
I don't think how I dance.
H's who I am.
II
Ballet is just putting
the restriction on the dancing,
like some directions to it.
But I dance just how I-
you know, how I feel,
how my body moves.
II
And when you take off
and you hover in the air
and your body
lets you do that,
you know,
those couple of seconds,
it's worth, like, dancing for.
[bouncy piano music]
II
[majestic orchestral music]
II
[applause]
[cheers and applause]
[soft instrumental music]
II
- I Wanted him
to accomplish something...
So that he could live
a better life than We did.
The choreographic school
in Kiev
was the best school
in the Ukraine.
But to study in that school,
it was impossible,
because H was very expensive.
[indistinct chatter]
- Turns out Dad
is the breadwinner,
and to enable Sergei
to go to the school in Kiev,
Grandma and I drew straws
to decide who would go where.
Grandma left for Greece,
and I left for Portugal.
Galina stayed with Sergei.
- Vlad went in one direction
and you the other.
- Yes.
- That enabled them
to pay Sergei's tuition.
II
- When I was nine years old,
my grandma went to work
to Greece.
My dad went to work to Portugal
to support me.
And me and my mom went to Kiev.
That's when, I guess,
fun was over.
- Assemble and then relevé.
Can you do it,
or are you scared?
- I'm not scared.
- Well, then!
- It's okay if it's
not right at first.
Just practice!
- My life in Kiev was
ballet class in the morning,
some academics,
and then ballet in the evening.
- Sergei, what was that?
Don't try too hard!
You should be natural.
- At home,
my mom would make me stretch,
and I would sit in a split
for hours, watching TV.
I think she was angry
with her parents,
that they didn't push her,
so she makes sure
she pushed me enough,
you know,
that I don't have that regret.
II
- AH I had were his problems,
his school, his practices...
Do it again!
His homework,
tailoring for him.
I had no life of my own in Kiev.
- Higher!
See, that's it!
I'm hardly holding him!
That's it!
- I did feel a lot of pressure
when I was in Kiev
because my family moved
around the World to support me.
I really did.
- In Portugal,
{met some Germans,
and I worked as their gardener.
All the money I earned,
I sent to Galina.
- I Worked taking care
of an aged grandmother.
It was so difficult,
morally and physically.
I felt so sorry for myself.
[laughs]
- We clearly had a team.
And this little boy
was our hope.
- Sergei was accepted into
the Kiev Choreographic School.
In the same year,
he won second piece
at the National
Ballet Competition.
Sergei, what are you
passionate about?
- I have a lot of passions,
but my favorite is dancing.
I want my dancing
to give people joy.
I want my figure
to be more beautiful.
To get skinnier
so that it's pleasant
to took at me.
To be the best
so that I am remembered.
[dramatic rock music]
II
- After a couple of years
in that school,
he was already the best student
in his class.
But I Wanted to make sure
he could reach the top.
II
I then realized
that it would be much better
for him to study abroad.
II
I took photos, made a video,
and mailed it all.
We got the invitation
for an audition.
So we went.
[upbeat music]
II
- Ladies and gentlemen,
We have started our descent
and will shortly be landing
at London Heathrow.
II
- London was very different
from Ukraine.
Everything was beautiful
and magical.
- Sergei took out the camera
and filmed.
We laughed a lot!
- We spent long time
to find the school
because ifs in the middle
of the park.
Mom, are you filming the deer?
H was deers outside, parrots.
School looked like a painting.
It felt like I was
in a "Harry Potter" World.
- When We arrived
at the Royal School,
there were a lot of children.
He auditioned,
then a teacher came out
and said
to expect the results
that Monday.
A whole week passed by,
and we stopped waiting.
Serezha is ready to eat.
But then we received
a letter saying,
"We're happy to accept you
to the Royal Ballet Academy."
And I remember being so happy
to hear that he got in.
But...
Complications began
with my visa.
I could have stayed illegally,
but H would have compromised
the status
of Sergei's documents.
I didn't want 10 risk H.
[somber piano music]
- Being far away, you lose
familiarity with each other.
When Sergei went to London,
I didn't see him for six years.
- Our family practically
separated by itself.
Everybody parted
like ships at sea.
- He didn't know a Word
in English.
It was really hard
to let him go, to say good-bye.
[sniffles]
That was my ultimate sacrifice.
[crying]
I didn't know what to do
without him.
After he was gone,
I couldn't put myself together
for a Whole year.
II
- Whose camera is that?
- Mine.
- Is it?
- Yeah!
- Serious?
- Yeah.
[laughter]
[bell tolling]
[laid-back guitar music]
- I Where do we go,
nobody knows I
II
I I've got to say
I'm on my way down I
II
I God, give me style
and give me grace I
II
I God, put a smile
upon my face I
II
- The Royal Ballet school
is really good at picking kids.
Like, thousands of kids turn up
to audition for 13, 14 places.
So they know exactly
what they're looking for.
And Sergei, you could
just see it in abundance.
He just had so much,
you know, raw talent.
- He was always Way ahead
than everybody.
I used to call him the...
the graceful beast
or something like this.
Because he's sort of
like a lion, you know,
the way he tackles a step.
But then as soon
as the step is airborne,
it's just so in control
and clean and pure,
which is a really rare mix.
II
He was always in the studio
right until the school closed.
He was really dedicated.
- I would do ballet class
twice more than normal kids
because I knew that's my chance
to get my family back together.
And I knew
if Pm gonna mess it up,
they're gonna
just send me home.
- Sergei, is that
one of our T-shirts'?
- No!
- Oh, Sergei!
[indistinct chatter]
[lively piano music]
II
- His dancing standard
was so high,
they bumped Sergei up
three years.
II
- You can tell he was the best.
You can tell
he was gonna be famous.
You can tell he's going to do
the best he can.
And you can tell he's gonna be
over every single one,
you know, in the class,
and he did.
[dramatic piano music]
II
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
- First year,
he was learning parts
that corps de ballet
don't Seam.
In his second year,
he was {earning
soloist and principal parts,
which never happens.
He was inspirational to watch.
II
[applause]
- The school, of course,
was very aware of his talent,
and they pushed him
in Whichever Way possible.
But we had a lot of fun
when we were in school.
I mean, we got
in a lot of trouble.
- Sal is smoking.
He's so bad.
- Oh, shut up!
[laughter]
Get it off, you twat!
- It's for my mum.
[laughter]
Jade is smoking.
I'm smoking, but not really.
We need more shots.
- No, no more shots.
- Yeah. Definitely.
I'm not-
I'm sober.
[laughter]
- [whispering] This is a pen,
and that's Sergei.
And we're gonna draw
on his face.
Okay? Okay.
[Upbeat pop music]
II
- Sergei used to arrive
at parties
and drink a stupid amount
of alcohol
for the first 20 minutes,
party really hard
for ten minutes,
and then knockout deed.
And I mean knockout deed.
Like, just knocked out,
you know.
No nothing.
Unconscious.
So people started to...
First of all, it was toothpaste.
Then H was drawing.
- I Like a shotgun
needs an outcome I
- Then we actually once-
and I'm guilty of that-
we shaved one of his eyebrow.
And that was a week
before his big competition.
And he won the competition,
the Grand Prix.
And that's Why there is
actually this famous picture-
Not many people would notice
because it's very slight.
But there is a picture of him,
like, getting a medal,
and if you actually look close,
you can see slightly here,
he still didn't
quite grow back.
[laughs]
So...
I mean, we understand that it
was a dangerous thing to do
because we had the blade
close to his eyes,
but we know that
when he's out, he's out.
- Sergei. Wake up.
- Fuck off.
- Come on.
- Will!
- What do you mean Will?
I'm Jade.
Sergei, come on.
- I Got you around my finger I
- Sergei.
He's a knob.
- I Like a lonely
lover's charm I
- Serezha.
- Sergei, I think
he's always suffered silently.
We sort of
cheered each other up.
We never really wanted
to bring each other down
by talking about, like, whatever
our families were going through.
- I do remember when we did talk
about his family,
he always made it seem
like there was a family.
And then I guess
when we became friends,
when we became closer friends
and you find out
more about each other,
it became clear
that they were separate.
[somber music]
II
- After Sergei's
first year there,
the divorce happened.
- When my mom told me
that they are divorcing...
I was in dormitories for kids,
and I was probably 15.
And I remember there was,
like, kids at the back,
and somebody was, like,
teasing me or something,
and I was just like,
"What the..."
But...
So I guess I was
more angry with my mom
because she was the one.
- Sergei called me in Portugal
and, with a certain pity
toward me, started asking,
"How are you?
How are things going?"
I couldn't tell him about it.
Then I found out
that he already knew.
[indistinct chatter]
- One of the most important
things is family.
And by doing ballet,
I hoped I would bring them
more and more together,
but I wasn't able
to bring them together.
I Wasn't able to make
everything fine and good.
There was-
You know, I was so upset
that I was like,
"I'm never gonna be upset again
"and I never will feel sorry
for anybody.
"I will never miss anybody,
and I don't want any memories
about anything."
II
And that was last time I cried
for years.
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
- From day one, you cannot
give him anything at all
except principal.
And he was a soloist
because that's the way it works.
But then he was too big
for a soloist.
II
For him, it's more a role
like a bronze idol.
You know,
people used to look at him
and not look at the principal.
You know, he was too big.
II
[cheers and applause]
And that's
why they gave it to him
as a principal.
- The fastest that's come
through the company.
The youngest principal
the Royal Ballet's ever seen.
Because he was that good,
and you could see it.
[rock music]
- I Having trouble telling I
I How I feel but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I Couldn't possibly tell you I
I How I mean but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I So when I trip on my feet I
I Look at the beat,
the words are I
I Written in the sand I
I When I'm shaking my hips... I
- That's What
everyone Worked for
every day
at the Royal Ballet School
was to be
in the Royal Ballet Company
and to be a famous principal
there.
II
- I I was a dancer all along I
- Whoa.
- I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
- He was amazing
because there is rules
and regulations in the ballet.
H's choreography, you know.
You have to do it
a certain way.
For him, if you go
and see him Monday
and you went to see him
on a Wednesday,
he didn't do the same thing.
He will do something
different in it.
He will follow the rules
of the ballet,
but he will put something
that belongs to him in it.
- I I was a dancer all along I
- And, you know,
the audience flock there.
- People book their tickets
to see him perform
two years into the future.
- I Words can never make up
for what you do I
- That's incredible.
- I Dance, dance, dance I
- He was performing so Well,
but he was really reluctant
to dance
in front of his mom
and his dad.
And the Whole time
he was in the Royal Ballet,
his family never saw him,
which, you know,
it's really weird.
[somber music]
- My mother was very demanding
when I was a kid,
sol promised myself
never Set her watch me
because I was angry.
- l asked Sergei, and he said,
"Please don't come.
I get really stressed out
when you watch me dance."
- It was hard
for me to get a visa,
being from
the former Soviet Union.
- So we never went.
[cameras clicking]
- After his parents divorced,
Sergei's motivation changed
and he felt like, you know,
"What's the reason
for me dancing?
What's the reason
for me pushing this hard?“
[cheers and applause]
I think,
Whenever you have a goal
and there's no reason
behind your goal,
with anyone,
it's gonna end badly.
[rock music]
II
- The life
of a principal dancer
in a company
like the Royal Ballet
is famously tough.
Their lifestyle needs to be one
of self-control
or even abstinence.
- Sometimes he didn't
come to class
for three or four days,
you know.
And the day before,
he will say,
"Oh, what's on tonight?"
And I will say,
"Oh, Nutcracker.“
"Oh, yeah."
- You've admitted in the past
that you danced on drugs
or after taking cocaine,
and you claimed
you dance better.
- When you take
some painkiller or cocaine,
you don't feel pain,
so you enjoy yourself.
- And you're talking
as if that was in the past.
You don't dance
with the aid of drugs anymore?
- Uh...
[laughs]
[cheers and applause]
- There was discussion
of partying at clubs,
his skipping of rehearsals,
and purchasing a tattoo salon.
[tattoo machine buzzing]
- When f found out
Sergei had eight tattoos,
I almost lost consciousness,
honestly.
[cheers and applause]
- Polunin said that,
“I don't have enough friends
and parties,
and sometimes
such things are important."
- He's often used Twitter
to talk about nights out.
“Party time.
Probably no point
in going to sheep tonight.“
"Just Woke up at 4:30 sideways,
and the lights are still on."
- I didn't know
about his tweets.
Only when the bad press
started,
then I saw what he was doing.
- He was on the phone
with "Daily Mail."
He was on the phone
with the “Times?
He was so controversial.
The media propelled him
to stardom in a way.
II
- The company pushed him
to the max.
Rehearsals until 7:00
in the evening
and then a show
and finish at 10.00.
- You haven't got time
to do anything else, really.
- Every now and again,
you'll have one or two dancers
who are in everything.
And so they feel-
they get exhausted.
- I think, from there,
things started to slowly
crumble in his head.
- I told them, you know,
like, I want some help,
you know?
- He was thinking, like,
"Okay, what's next?"
But there was nothing next.
[cheers and applause]
- The applause
and people Waiting for him
at the stage door.
Everybody adore him.
Letters coming up.
That kind of thing that you get.
It was a kind of substitute
for what he couldn't get
because he was away from home.
- He told me, "Don't worry.
Everythings good."
Well, it wasn't good.
But that's what he said.
- He was clearly missing
his family.
That was our mistake.
[seagulls calling]
- That morning,
he Went in to work
and he came back
halfway through the day.
And it was...
I think it was
one of them things
where he was fighting
with himself.
"Do I want to do this or not?"
- I woke up;
it was everything fine.
The rehearsal didn't go well.
And then I sat down
and I just made the decision.
[dramatic music]
- Now, he was
the Royal Ballet's
youngest-ever
male principal dancer,
but yesterday,
22-year-old Sergei Polunin
suddenly walked out of his job
amid claims
that life in the company
was too restrictive.
- We were having a Chinese meal
in Chinatown,
and I was facing
a television.
And we were just eating,
and I said,
"Oh, you're on television."
And he said, "What?"
- Now the Royal Ballet has been
rocked by the departure
of its youngest-ever
principal male dancer.
- Sergei Polunin, a Ukrainian,
shocked the dance world
in January...
- Ukrainian-born dancer
Sergei Polunin
was given the name
"the bad boy of ballet"
after his scandalous departure
from the Royal Ballet of London.
- For a 22-year-old dancer
who's done so much for us,
who has so much promise,
to leave us at this point
is shocking.
[melancholy music]
- I Will you let me
out of here I
I Will you let me out I
I Will you let me... I
- He really was
just going through a lot.
And people were expecting him
to make statements,
to make interviews,
to express his feelings
of why he left.
I think the press forgets
that he's still in his 20s.
- I Oh, it's been so long I
I Will you let me out of here I
- Principal
at the Royal Ballet.
- No, principal-
principal at question mark, no?
- Exactly.
- Hey.
- Still can't take off
his shoes.
- [laughs]
Sergei,
don't take your socks off!
Oh, wow.
- When he came home,
I could see the relief
on his face.
- Wait, wait, wait.
- I'm gonna take-
I'm gonna lie down in the snow.
You have to take a picture
of me just lying down there.
- It was the first time
in his life
he was finally free.
[laughter]
II
- Ahh!
[laughter]
II
- Sergei.
- Thanks.
And I wanted to dance
but not in London.
- Oh, shit.
- I Wanted always to go
to America after Royal Ballet,
but nobody would accept me.
And they didn't-
I guess they didn't
want to risk it.
And they thought
I was crazy, you know.
II
So I had to go to Russia...
Which Wasn't in my plans.
[dramatic musical flourish]
[cheers and applause]
- Ladies and gentlemen...
- And those watching at home...
- We are excited
to bring you our newest show...
both: "Big Ballet"!
[cheers and applause]
- Our first contestant
is Sergei Polunin.
Sergei recently left London
for Moscow.
- Did you know Sergei
is a real star in London?
The papers are constantly
writing about him!
From London to Moscow
especially for this show,
Sergei Polunin.
[applause]
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
[cheers and applause]
- Vladimir,
your verdict, please.
- Ten.
- Thank you.
Azzari?
- Ten.
- Thank you.
- Ten.
- Thank you!
[cheers and applause]
Vladymir?
- Ten.
- A perfect performance!
- When Sergei got to Russia,
he didn't get the value
he deserved
from being a principal
at the Royal Ballet.
- I see scars on your body.
These scars are not real,
so what are they for?
- They are tattoos.
- I get that.
But Why'd you get so many?
- Um...
- What's this say?
- "Dirty Money."
- Why?
- I like the song.
- Whose song is it?
- P. Diddy.
- He should have been
a mega star,
and instead he was on a TV show
trying to prove himself
to the Russian audience.
That's one of the hardest
audiences to prove yourself to
in the ballet world.
- Recently, Sergei Won
the "Big Ballet" competition,
becoming a name
in his new homeland.
[laid-back music]
II
- And in Russia,
there was Igor Zelensky,
who wasn't scared,
you know,
and who I believed in
and who believed in me.
- Sergei is loved
by the people.
He has so much going for him
as a dancer-
his jump, his charisma,
his physique.
In our modern-day ballet,
he is exceptional.
- I You say you don't belong I
- Igor showed up
at just the right time.
{always wanted Sergei to have
a person who was older
because he responds
to authority.
And in that area,
Igor is really capable.
- Igor is one of the most
famous dancers in Russia.
If Igor is your friend,
you can be a superstar,
and that's how much power
he has.
II
- I I know what comfort
you are I
- West and East,
they are two separate Worlds.
So when I went to Russia,
I had to build my name
from beginning.
- I Comfort you are I
II
- Igor was a father figure.
I think that was an easy part
for Sergei to accept
after his father was away
and his family was broken.
- f was watching TV,
and in a show, they said
that lgor Zelensky
had replaced me.
I was hurt.
Because until he was nine,
I was always with him.
- I think Sergei thought
when you go away
that you're gonna have
some exciting experience.
And I guess,
when he went to Russia,
a lot of it was
at the beginning.
- The romance between Polunin
and Russia has lasted
for over one and a half years.
After the Moscow premiere
of "Paquita, "
the standing ovation lasts
for ten minutes.
The dancers once again
go out to bow.
- Are you serious?
- This is it.
- They won't clap anymore
after this.
[cheers and applause]
- I I know what comfort
you are I
II
- For first two years
in Russia,
everything was new.
New ballets,
classical ballets I never did.
But yeah, after a while,
{felt the same as in London.
H was getting very repetitive.
II
- Russia didn't give him
What he Wanted.
Instead of a step up
was, you know, a side step.
- I I know what comfort
you are I
I I know what comfort
you are I
"SERGEI POLUNIN
AND IGOR ZELENSKY IN SPARTACUS"
[man singing operatically]
II
[orchestra warming up]
- Polina.
Could you cover me up, please?
- Of course.
- F hated the fact
that f had to dance
and you have to do H.
Don't, the costume
will cover it.
Don't!
- Okay.
- It's like,
Why do you have to do anything?
You know?
Because you're good at it.
[dramatic orchestral music]
II
[applause]
[melancholy orchestral music]
II
Every time I dance
and I get tired,
I'm just like, “Why am I
doing this,“ you know?
I cannot skip a day
because Pm in too much pain.
And if I skip a day,
and I'm like-
my shoulders get stuck
and my back starts to hurt.
So you-you feel
like a prisoner to the...
to your body,
to the urge to dance.
Polina, where's the water?
- Over there.
- Where's there? Why's it there?
All right, go.
Go get the water.
[labored breathing]
[frenzied orchestral music]
II
[cheers and applause]
- [groans] So tired.
- Do you need help
with something?
- No, thanks.
- Beliefs tedious.
And ifs deteriorating.
Ballet requires a lot
of motivation and discipline.
And I think he lost that.
- Hang in there, Sergei.
- Thanks.
- You finish your training,
you're 19 years old.
You started when you were,
like, four or five.
And the time it's finished
and the time you've got a second
to, like, step back
and look at your life,
your whole entire Childhood's
gone.
You can't really
do anything else
because you might get injured.
And you put
so much time and effort,
the time you get to the end,
you think, "You know what?
"I'm gonna have to go
and, you know,
be a professional dancer."
- Ballet takes a lot of energy
from you, and it's...
You're getting skinny.
Like, your body's, like-
You have no energy.
You have no fresh thoughts.
Then getting my own,
like, demons in a way.
You know, when I don't see
the way forward.
[applause]
[indistinct chatter]
Millions of people,
millions of opinions.
And when people tell me, like,
“Oh, you should do it
that way,“
it's like, "Why do/
have to listen to you?"
- We'd Skype-
And I was like, you know,
"What do you do?"
And he was like,
"I just sit in my apartment
on my own.“
- How nice that the laces
are only dyed on one side.
[tense music]
II
ls there water over there?
- Where you left it.
Will you have time
in between to drink?
I'll go refill
and put it to the side
for when I won't have time.
Before they kill you.
- It's too late.
II
Every time I go onstage,
ifs a fight
with your own emotions,
with tiredness, anger,
frustration.
[coughing]
- I was trying to help him
do what he wanted.
Because ballet
is a young persons business.
It's important
not to waste time.
II
- I didn't choose ballet.
H was my mom's choice.
And I always hoped
I will get injured
so I Wouldn't have an option
to dance anymore.
II
[train horn blows]
- Tea. Tea.
- Tea? Sure.
Come on in.
[cat meows]
- What did you say
to the cat?
- Nothing.
- Food was not promised.
Well, that was
a pretty serious decision.
Because I didn't see
any prospects
for you in Kherson.
I didn't see any at all.
You remember, don't you,
that I always sat at gymnastics
and waited for you?
It wasn't because
I liked being there.
I had no money
to take the trolley back home.
On the other hand,
I saw prospects
for you in Kiev.
Of course, I didn't know
anything about ballet.
I didn't understand
anything about it.
But I saw that it made sense
to move to Kiev.
And I thought, "We'll move,
then figure out the rest."
We had to spend
so much money...
the apartment,
your education.
Everything was very expensive.
That's why I was so strict.
That's why I expected
a lot from you.
- But I wanted
to achieve things by myself.
You didn't trust me.
But I knew
I could do it myself.
- What do you mean
I didn't trust you?
I controlled you.
- Well, controlling me
is not trusting me.
- Actually,
it's belief in you.
- Well, it was
very stressful for me
that Dad and Grandma left.
- Well, that's life.
There's always responsibility.
One can't be without
any responsibility to anyone.
Every person must be responsible
for something.
- Galina did everything
systematically.
She always knew where to go.
Where to drive to,
where to arrive at,
with whom to practice.
Sergei got lucky
with a mom like that.
[melancholy music]
II
- Hello.
- Galina lvanovna!
Galina lvanovna! Hello.
- [laughs] Galina.
Hello. It's great to see you.
- My sunshine!
- This is for you.
Everythings new here.
- You used to perform
on this stage. Remember?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I remember.
[indistinct chatter]
II
- Remember
What you used to dance to?
- Pavarotti, yes!
Pavarotti,
I danced everywhere.
- For you,
it's like a talisman.
- Well, yeah.
As a matter of fact, it is.
My first show in Kiev
was Pavarotti.
- Do you remember
what you called him?
I asked, "What music do you want
for your improv?"
You said, "What I had
the previous lesson."
I said, "Well, I don't remember.
Maybe you remember what disc?"
And you said,
"The one with some dude
with a beard on it!"
[laughter]
That's what you were like.
[man singing operatically]
II
- Let's go get Galina lvanovna!
II
- [laughs]
II
[applause]
- Children, come over!
[indistinct chatter]
[laughter]
[scattered applause]
[melancholy music]
II
- When Sergei was young,
he loved to dance.
He danced with his very soul
and transported himself
right into the music.
II
- We were meant to go
on holiday to Spain
and we were about
to go to Spain,
and he was like,
“Dude, we can? go.“
And I was really pissed off,
and I was like, “Oh, man,
I've been Waiting all summer."
And he said,
“5 need some help
"And, you know, a friend
to just hang outwith
and, you know..."
And yeah,
of course I'm gonna come.
Yeah.
- I want to do, like,
a different style
from classical style.
Um...
I want to have
a lot of dancing
but a lot of emotions too.
So it's gonna be...
- He told me, "/ don't Want
to do this anymore,
and I would like you
to choreograph my {est dance.“
And I didn't say
anything to him.
He's old enough now
to make his own decisions.
I didn't try and, like,
fight him on it, like I used to.
What's the music?
- The music is
"Take Me To Church."
It's amazing song.
- All right, well,
as soon as I listen to the music
and feel the vibe,
and then we can try
and build some type
of, like, story line to it.
[soft piano music]
II
Being his best friend,
being one of the closest people
to him,
I can't say I was surprised
because I guess
I knew it was coming.
But the fact that he can just
stop it all,
I think it would-
I think it would crush
a lot of people.
II
As soon as you catch heaven...
Barn, barn.
II
Barn, barn, barn.
I'm trying to tell a story
to Sergei's fans.
I didn't want to make
everything too obvious,
but I definitely know
that when people see the piece,
the fact
that he worked so hard,
problems that he's had,
they'll get it straightaway,
and if this is his last dance,
I think it's a great dance.
II
- So what time do you think
you're gonna be doing this?
- Tomorrow around 9:00.
- So "Take Me To Church,"
it's not a music video,
you know?
So it's the opposite.
It's just, like, you know,
really showing off
Sergei's artistry,
his physicality,
his height of his jumps.
This is kind of a key.
So what we should do, Jade-
or maybe we should do
a quick run-through,
even if we don't do
all the jumps right now.
I don't know
if you're warmed up or not.
So you could just say,
"Okay, big jump,"
and you can just
kind of walk it through.
- Earlier.
- Right now, we've got
a 5:40 a.m. call,
so you want to start at 3:45?
- Tomorrow?
Are we shooting
at another location?
[voices fading]
[somber music]
II
- Watch your head.
- Okay, that's good.
Good, good.
[indistinct chatter]
[smoke whooshing]
- Can you get me a flathead,
Danny?
II
- I did everything dance
I Wanted to do.
And I just Want to get
a normal life now.
- Okay, roll music.
[waves crashing]
[melancholy music]
II
- I My lover's got humor I
I She's the giggle
at a funeral I
I Knows everybody's
disapproval I
I I should've worshipped her
sooner
I If the heavens
ever did speak I
I She's the last
true mouthpiece I
I Every Sunday's
getting more bleak I
I A fresh poison each week I
I We were born sick I
I You heard them say it I
I My church offers
no absolutes I
I She tells me,
worship in the bedroom I
I The only heaven
I'll be sent to I
I ls when I'm alone with you I
I I was born sick I
I But I love it I
I Command me to be we“ I
Hey
I Amen I
I Amen I
I Amen I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
II
I If I'm a pagan
of the good times I
I My lover's the sunlight I
I To keep the goddess
on my side I
I She demands a sacrifice I
I Drain the whole sea I
I Get something shiny I
I Something meaty
for the main course I
I That's a fine-looking
high horse I
I What you got in the stable I
I We've a lot
of starving faithful I
I That looks tasty I
I That looks plenty I
I This is hungry work I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
so you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
my deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
so you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
my deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
II
I No masters or kings I
I When the ritual begins I
I There is no sweeter innocence
I Than our gentle sin I
I In the madness and soil I
I Of that sad earthly scene I
I Only then I am human I
I Only then I am clean I
Oh
I Oh, amen I
I Amen I
I Amen I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
I Take me to church I
I I'll worship like a dog
at the shrine of your lies I
I I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife I
I Offer me
that deathless death I
I Good God,
let me give you my life I
II
- While I was dancing
"Take Me To Church,"
I didn't talk to anybody.
ll was a long shoot,
and almost all those hours,
I was crying.
Everything went through
my mind,
what Pm leaving behind.
I thought I just
could Walk away.
It would be...
H would be easy.
- I think a lot of people think
that Sergei
needs to keep dancing.
That's a hard thing, though,
because not everyone's Sergei.
And he must have
a lot of pressure on him.
[gentle piano music]
II
- [laughing] You're push-
- Throw me up high.
- loan? throw you up high,
darling.
One day, you will jump
as high as he jumps, okay'?
II
[shears snipping]
[razor buzzing]
[piano music]
II
[indistinct chatter]
' See?
When Sergei worked here,
there were a lot
of pictures of him.
They took them away.
- When Sergei was Mile,
I didn't understand family
is the main thing.
I understood that I had
to feed my family.
If I could turn back time,
I would've spent
more time with them.
II
[cheers and applause]
II
I never thought
I'd be at one
of Sergei's concerts.
As I watched him,
I couldn't believe my eyes.
It's just impossible
to explain.
II
- I used to get very nervous
when my parents were watching,
but I think it's a joint effort
where I'm at.
And I don't know why,
but for some reason,
now it feels good
to share it with them.
II
[cheers and applause]
[indistinct chatter]
- Oh, look who's here!
- Dad!
- Hi.
[laughter]
Great job!
- Goodness, how great it is
to see you!
Thank you so much, sweetheart.
- You're so warm!
- Yeah?
- You must be so tired!
Forgive me.
- Forgive you? For what?
- Oh, goodness, my love.
I love you so much.
You are the best!
The very best!
- How long
have we not seen each other?
- A year and a half.
A year and a half, right?
A year and a half.
- Well, we have to do it
more often from now on!
- Do try.
- My sweetheart.
- F would He if! would say
f don'? love dancing.
Because it is
the most enjoyable time
when you're actually
at your top
and you are dancing
through the air.
You jump, and then this is...
you know, this is who you are.
- Take a picture of us
and Sergei.
Just don't cover the camera.
Don't put your hand there.
We made a lot of sacrifices.
We tried to give him
everything we've got.
We did everything we could.
And if necessary,
We would do it all again.
- Sergei, darling...
come over here.
- To your family.
- Show the camera
how tough you are!
- That's enough.
[bright instrumental music]
II
[rock music]
II
- I Having trouble telling I
I How I feel but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I Couldn't possibly tell you I
I How I mean but I I
I Can dance, dance, dance I
I So when I trip on my feet I
I Look at the beat,
the words are I
I Written in the sand I
I When I'm shaking my hips I
I Look for the swing I
I The words are I
I Written in the air I
II
I Oh, dance I
I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
II
I Easy conversations I
I No such thing I
I No, I'm shy, shy, shy I
I My hips, they lie
'cause in reality I
I Aye, I'm shy, shy, shy I
I When I trip on my feet I
I Look at the ground,
the words are I
I Written in the dust I
I When I'm shaking my hips I
I Look for the swing I
I The words are I
I Written in the air I
I Oh, dance I
I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
II
I Oh, dance I
I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Oh, I was a dancer
all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Words can never make up
for what you do I
- I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
- I I was a dancer all along I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Now words can never make up
for what you do I
- I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I
I Dance I
I Dance, dance, dance I