On March 17, the documentary film "Solo" dedicated to the art of dance was released in Russian theaters. It features 6 representatives of different dance styles who openly share their thoughts and emotions about their craft and clearly prove that not...

In the last 10 years, dance culture in Russia has been developing rapidly. Federal channels annually release new competitive shows, teams are formed across the country that win international championships, and schools are opening. It is not surprising that this art has begun to attract more attention, including from filmmakers.

The documentary film "Solo" by Olga Pankratova is an attempt to look behind the scenes of dancers' lives. To get to know them through dance, and through them, the art of movement.

Dance is About People

The main characters of the project are:

• Mikhail Kryuchkov — a representative of ballet, soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre;
• Alexey Torgunakov — a representative of contemporary dance, soloist of the Rozbark Theatre of Dance and Movement (Poland);
• Dmitry Politov — a pole dance star, participant of "New Dances on TNT", former representative of Cirque du Soleil;
• Alena Dvoichenkova — a representative of vogue, at the time of filming a member of the famous dance team House of Bonchinche;
• Dilyara Shakiryanova — world champion in krump as part of the team Whiphead, participant of dance shows on TNT;
• Kristina Kasyanenko — one of the pioneers of experimental hip-hop in Russia and the CIS.

According to the concept of the film "Solo", each of the heroes is preparing for the most important performance of their career. For some, it is participation in the world krump championship, like for Dilyara; for others, it is long-awaited solo numbers in theater premieres; for others, it is their own productions. On the way to these performances, the dancers overcome themselves and circumstances, get to know their bodies and their capabilities better, and expand the boundaries of creativity.

Dance is About the World

"Solo" was filmed over 4 years in 6 countries: Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Italy, and France. Together with the dancers, the viewer immerses themselves in the dynamic world of creativity and endless competitions, where the main thing is — no, not victories, but emotions and the opportunity to give these emotions to others. The project's heroes never tire of repeating this.

The filming took place at the Bolshoi Theatre, at the gallery "Here on Taganka" by performer Andrey Bartenev, in an abandoned mansion in Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo, on the balcony of the President Hotel, at the Maharaja Interiors gallery, at the Theatre of Nations, and the ProTancy dance school. All these settings are stylishly integrated into the narrative and organically used as a backdrop for the dances.

Problems of the Film "Solo"

Olga Pankratova's work can be inspiring if you are a beginner dancer. It can slightly expand your understanding of dance genres if you know nothing about it. It articulates pains familiar to every dancer: from misunderstanding in the family to the simple lack of income from a beloved activity.

All this is wonderful, but! It is completely unclear what the main purpose of "Solo" is and who it was made for.

If the documentary is aimed at active dancers, they will not learn anything new, just nod approvingly at a few expressed thoughts. There are no revelations here to latch onto.

If the project is aimed at those who want to get to know the characters better, the film does not dig deep enough and does not really reveal its heroes. The author literally skims the surface: this guy is a perfectionist, this girl has issues with her father. Such labels for a documentary work are not a very good indicator, to say the least.

If "Solo" was created for ordinary viewers, it simply does not captivate enough. Especially in the drawn-out prologue, where almost nothing happens. And the most spectacular moments (the vogue ball, the krump championship, the solo at the Bolshoi) impatient viewers might not even wait for.

Is It Worth Watching the Film "Solo"

Kristina Kasyanenko in one of her monologues expresses the idea: "The body is a whole universe." The same can be said about the art of dance. It is commendable that such an important step as creating a documentary work by Olga Pankratova has been taken on the path to it. But there is a feeling that this topic is so boundless that there are still a million and one opportunities to reveal it more interestingly, deeply, and effectively.

Trailer: