In spring, the premieres of the series 'Actresses' and 'Ballet' took place. Such similar projects, yet so different, although united by one thing – a love for the stage. Read about the differences and similarities of the series in our article.
We've already highlighted 'Actresses' and 'Ballet' as some of the most intriguing new series of the year. Now it's time to delve into what makes these projects so captivating for viewers and how they differ from each other, beyond their stated themes.
Fresh themes and new characters, the return of beloved stories – read our article on how Russian series entertained us in the first half of 2023.
Open materialStories from Beyond the Stage
The series 'Actresses' spans several destinies of theater and film actors across different time periods. The viewer follows how they work, fall in love, and argue. At the same time, there is a parallel immersion into the specifics of the profession.
The series 'Ballet', on the other hand, encompasses events of just a few days and is largely focused on the story of staging a new innovative performance and the bureaucratic (and not only) attempts to counteract it.
We Are So Alike...
These two projects, besides Bondarchuk's involvement in them, are united by a desire to show the behind-the-scenes life of creative people. Although the emphasis is more on the people than on the professions, you can feel the special atmosphere of theaters and film sets. Workshops, dressing rooms, the stage, the auditorium, people – all of this creates a system of perception of the world of creators.
The projects are also united by style. The scenes with dance performances in 'Ballet' or the excerpts from performances in 'Actresses' are shot effectively and unusually for domestic cinema. And the latter series even has a unique feature – each episode is accompanied by a final short dance video, uniquely summarizing the episode.
To some extent, the characters of the series are also similar. In both projects, we encounter complex relationships between lovers, cheaters, disputes between parents and children, aspiring artists, and those trying to stay afloat. At the same time, everyone essentially wants the same thing – love and recognition.
All for the Stage or Not? That Is the Question
From the first trailers, it was clear that 'Ballet' would be mainly about struggle. Ruth Myers (Alla Sigalova) returns to Moscow to stage a new ballet at the country's main theater. She herself has not been in her homeland for 40 years, having left the country amid a major scandal. Some greet her with enthusiasm, while others are not at all happy about this return.
The struggle of classics with modernity, past and present – runs like a red thread through the series. The characters of 'Ballet' are very calculating, straightforward, and in many ways heartless people. Everyone wants to achieve their own goals and will use any methods to do so. The series also features events from real theatrical life in Moscow. But, as they say, all stories are fictional, and coincidences are accidental.
Despite the overall obviousness, the series leaves many questions. Some storylines are never revealed, or the focus shifts in another direction. For example, this happens with Ruth's story. The flashbacks of her escape and scenes from her youth, the love story with Andrei Pronin (Igor Gordin) lead nowhere and feel overly predictable. It feels like these episodes are only needed to fill the runtime.
The scale of the filming itself is impressive. In addition to Moscow and the corridors of the Bolshoi Theatre, locations in St. Petersburg were used. It's amusing that sometimes St. Petersburg 'played' the streets of the capital. For example, sometimes ballet dancers move from the halls of the 'Bolshoi' to the corridors of the Mikhailovsky Castle.
In the finale, the viewer will finally see that very performance, united by a single belief in truth and a desire to move forward. It's just ironic that the dance ends with the lowering of a classic theater curtain.
Interesting fact: the performance from the series 'Ballet' became a real play called 'About Nature'. It can be seen at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theatre.
The series 'Actresses', on the contrary, moves away from all intrigues and betrayals for the sake of performances and largely immerses you in the relationships between the characters.
The series consists of several acts, like a real performance. We see the characters in different situations – success, defeats, failures, and crises. The series tries in every way to dispel the myth of the beautiful and cloudless life of artists, showing from the very first episode the creative crisis of the character played by Alexei Makarov, and where it can all lead.
A large part of the series unfolds during the coronavirus pandemic, so the characters, who already strive every day to prove they have the right to their position in society, must find all ways to survive. Not only physically, but also mentally.
To keep the viewer from getting bored, there are several storylines. Different couples, their relationships, as well as representatives of different ages. Some are happy, some are mired in deception. Every viewer will find a character they find more interesting to follow.
In summary, each project lets you into the backstage of theatrical and dance scenes, and everyone will find something to their liking. The only question is what will be closer to you.
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