Fuete

Maybe the spelling mistake in the title and the wrong year had something to do to make this film one of the most forgotten of cinema history. It told a ballerina story in the highly demanding world of Soviet Russia Classic Ballet. We followed a day in the life of this artist, from her depressing wake up, and first rehearsal session in her gloomy apartment settled in a more gloomy Moscow district, to the sadistic rehearsal in a Bolshoi-like theater. I don't know how this disregarded jewel came to the small suburb movie theater near my home. I remember I saw it in the late 80's or first 90's. My country, El Salvador, was then at the end of a bloody civil war. It was the first soviet film I ever seen.

First, Ekaterina Maximova one of the greatest Russian ballerinas of the second part of the 20th century is starring. She proved to be a great actress on the ballet stage and had several movie roles as well. This movie is not a ballet performance with some short dialogs what is typical for movies about ballet. it shows prima ballerina's life with success and hard work, doubts and joy. it really shows what is behind the scenes and people do not see and do not know. Some great ballet performances only magnify the strength of the plot. The cast is very good with outstanding ballet legends, actors and actresses. The music selection and cinematography are very impressive. Highly recommend it.