You knew
No
You knew what he was planning to do
No
You're saying he never spoke of defection?
The subject never came up
He never spoke of it?
Never
This is an attack
upon the Soviet Union
No
It's about dance
Dance?
He knows nothing about politics
He's gone to the West because there he can dance
He could dance here
Yes, but...
I think it's likely he had an explosion of character
That's who he is
Mother will recover
After immigration return your passport
Thank you
- Thank you - Nice to meet you
We are delighted to be here
Where are you off to?
For a walk
Want me to come with you?
Class in two hours
I won't forget
Keep an eye on him
Freedom
Equality
Brotherhood
Glory of the French Republic, Paris 1883
- One more? - Yes
Where are you from?
I have a place , I'm dancing!
Have you seen the list?
I haven't looked
It's posted
I still haven't looked
Don't you want to know? Sergeyev's not giving you the first night
Rudi, I'm very sorry
What difference does it make?
It's not going to take long
What's not going to take long?
Until everyone knows who I am
Hello
Arms soft. Soft arms
Leningrad Choreographic School
What are you doing here?
Are you in charge?
I'm Valentin Ivanovich Shelkov
I'm Rudolf Nureyev
I'm here to dance
Are you out of your head?
I've been accepted as a pupil
I've come from Ufa
Really?
You've got the wrong date
Come back in a week
This is where you will all be living
Young man, turn your head
And lower your shoulder
For the feet
It's not working for me
What do you mean?
What I say
It's not working
The school is not for you?
You only arrived a few weeks ago
Four weeks
The Leningrad Choreographic School
is thought to be the greatest ballet institute in the world
You're the first pupil to complain
Shelkov says your technique is inadequate
You lack control. You're clumsy
We know you're talented
but you're old
That's why I have to catch up
You're way behind
I'm seventeen. I have to do six years' work in three
Well? What's stopping you?
I'm ready to work
But not with Shelkov, is that what you mean?
Ballet is about rules
It's about discipline. It has to be
That means it's about obedience
Only through discipline can you find freedom
I'd rather die than live under the rules
One day you might be good enough to say that
You're not good enough yet
Far from it
I believe I would progress faster with another teacher
Which teacher do you have in mind?
- Hello - Hello
- You're Rudolf Nureyev? - Yes
I'm Alexander Ivanovich Pushkin
You'll find some space over there
Take a bow
- Is everybody warmed up? - Yes
Boys, as usual, two demi pliés and
one grand plié in each position
Get ready
Please
Bend back, further back
Hold your back straight
Fifth position
Assemblé, Assemblé
Assemblé sauté, Assemblé sauté
Brisé forwards, Brisé backwards
Two brisé. En changement
Sleep, sleep, sleep
What?
Open
Come back later
The Raft?
I want The Raft to myself.
Rudik! Come and join in!
Come over here
Are you alright?
Yes
Here, let me help you
Am I pleasing you?
I'm sorry?
You never say anything to me
Oh
I just want to know if I'm pleasing you
You don't displease me
Is that all you'll say?
Listen, you're an intelligent man
Work it out for yourself
When you please me, you'll know
Steps have a logic
You need to find that logic
not to force it
One step follows another, with no impression of haste
Or effort
Steps follow. And belong
They...
are interconnected
Thank you
Sir
This is impossible
Why aren't we talking to each other?
This is ridiculous
Cheers
Ladies, fouettés please
How was your class?
We have various outings planned
All the main sights
The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame
Organised trips
That's nice
You haven't forgotten the company meeting
before we left Leningrad?
I never miss a meeting
We agreed
we go together
on the bus
Shall I put you down?
Yes of course
My husband said you've not been looking after yourself
I brought you some soup
It's not bad
He said you don't eat with the others
A dancer needs to look after his body
He says you react like an animal who's been brought into the house
I didn't know he'd noticed me
Oh yes, he's noticed you
This is French onion soup
Not quite how they make it in Paris
Not the right cheese
You've been to Paris?
No
Have you been to London?
I've only read about them
Which city is better? Paris or London?
Better for what?
Better for life? Better for ballet?
Everything
They say Paris is more beautiful but London is special too
People know more about ballet?
Maybe
Your husband is a good man
I think so
His class is two holy hours
Eat the soup
Don't worry, you will see Paris one day
Sleep
I'll come back soon
Thank you
You were spectacular!
This is my friend, Clara Saint
It was wonderful!
Rudi, are you coming with us?
Not now
That's a pity
Alright, what did you see?
You came
Liuba...
Hello. Cakes
Thank you. Come in
Don't be shy
Everyone, attention
This is Rudolf Nureyev
We met at the Leningrad Choreographic
School's graduation evening
He's a dancer
Hello everybody
Hello
And also he says he's been going to the Hermitage every day
- He goes to the Hermitage every day? - Yes
And I told him a lot of us spend time in the Hermitage
And that we all like to meet every Sunday afternoon
a whole lot of us to talk, to talk about
all sorts of things
life, art, science
and that he would be very welcome to join us
I won't stay long
Stay as long as you like. Everyone else does
I don't want to be a trouble
You're no trouble
This is my brother Leonid, we are twins
Hello
Your sister started telling me about Rembrandt
I want to find out as much as I can
Rembrandt?
Leonid's a student at the Polytechnic, like me
I will have a drink and then go
No. Have a drink and stay
- C'mon sit with us - C'mon, c'mon
It's a good time. There's never been a better time
What, just because we're going to send a man into space?
If you think about it
the Soviet Union's not even fifty years old
and yet we've caught up
Ahead of the Americans!
Yes, ahead of the Americans, yes!
We went through terrible times
But they're over
The bad times are behind us now
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van
Rijn, born in Leiden 1606
One of nine children
Father a miller, mother a baker's daughter
Introduces a new style of portraiture
Sir, our shop...
Look
Are you all right?
Yes of course, why?
Rudik, your Father has returned
Come and greet him
I was wondering if perhaps you'd care to eat with us
Eat at your home?
I've spoken to Alexander Ivanovich about it
I'm afraid our quarters are very modest
He wants me to come?
We're here
Come in
Ah Rudolf, yes, good
Please, there's no need for you to get up
I want to get up. And anyway you're here to eat
Over here
Sit?
Xenia tells me she's been looking after you
I hope you don't mind
Why would I mind?
I am of course interested...
Thank you
do you ever think about
the purpose of dance?
- The purpose? - Yes
Nobody thinks about this
It's true
Why dance?
To take the audience somewhere else
Somewhere new
Yes of course
But why?
Escape
Just that?
Is life that awful then?
And escape to what?
You see, all the time I'm teaching technique
That's all I do
However
it is good to remember
technique is only a means
not an end
"Oh he leapt perfectly"
So what?
"Oh she raised an arm it was perfect"
So?
We spend so much time on technique
It's all we think about
What should we think about?
Story
What story do we wish to tell?
Why do so few people ask themselves:
"What do I wish to say?"
You need to let your feelings pour out
Let's stop here
Be more expressive with your body
Sit down
I received this letter
Yes
I am being sent to the Ministry of Culture
of the Bashkirian Soviet Socialist Republic
to apply there for future work
Yes. So?
This will kill me
I don't want to go
It doesn't matter what you want
Do you know that I've been offered three different places?
I didn't know that
With three different companies
The Bolshoi wants me
One day you can go to the Bolshoi in Moscow
Why not?
But first
you have to go and dance in Ufa
If I go to Ufa, I'll never go to the Bolshoi
I'll be too old
Who do you think paid for your education?
Your parents?
No
The State paid for you
Soviet people
Isn't it time you did them the favour of saying thank you?
Artists have responsibilities just like everyone else
What, you think you're above society?
Go on, tell me
For three years you've only taken
Now you have to give something back
I give back on the stage
Yes, in Moscow, in Leningrad, you're happy to go there
But what's wrong with Ufa?
Do you look down on the people?
No
Your little home town
I give something no one else can give
Well? Who made you?
Where do you come from? Who raised you?
How can you be like that?
Why are you looking so miserable?
You know very well
Everyone knows
I want you to dance with me, Rudi
What?
Where?
At the Kirov, where else?
Did no one tell you? I've been ordered back home
To Ufa
Forget about that
What are you saying?
I went to Moscow to plead
I'm asking if you want to join the Kirov
Not in the corps de ballet
Partnering me
Partnering?
A younger man...
... and older woman. Always a good combination
I'll make you look talented,
you'll make me look young
Shall we try?
Wait. Explain. What happened?
Somebody spoke on your behalf
- Who? - It's not important
Just be grateful
How? How did they do it?
Not by spitting in anyone's face
Artistic strategy, Rudi
Thank you
Hold my wrist, and then my hip
Like that
Little closer. Play please
One, tow, thee, four, and turn
Look, look in my eyes
Carry on, soft elbows, carry on one, two, thee, four
What happened?
Are you here to ask stupid questions?
- No. - Everyone knows what happened
I fell
I fell!
I'm going to get you out of here
You're going to leave hospital
You need personal care
They say I won't dance for two years
They're wrong
And don't look at me like that
Hello
It's impossible
No. We'll do it
We'll live together until you're well
I'll look after you
Good night
Give me a hand
Wait for me here
Dad
Dad!
It was bound to happen
Sooner or later
Inevitable
It's not right
You need to do it
Good evening
Join me
You've got to be fair to me, Rudi
I want to get to bed earlier
And, what?
You think I bear down on you?
Doesn't it occur to you? I have someone bearing down on me
They're all over me
And they are much less pleasant than I am
Look at it through my eyes
I'm trying
They want to know why I'm putting up with it
You don't just damage yourself with your behaviour
You endanger me
Is that it?
No
It's not
You go out every evening with this...
Chilean girl
She's a friend
You go and watch naked girls?
It's fun, Vitaly Dimitrivich
Fun?
And wealth is fun, is it?
No
She's going to inherit a fortune, is that right?
You like that, do you?
You like it
You like the capitalist life?
You stay out all night walking with her
We've a lot to talk about
Not just her
Specifically:
Western dancers...
Western intellectuals
Rudi, it's bedtime
Well?
They're just as late as I am
Why aren't you talking to them?
Because I'm speaking to you. You have a record
I'm not interested in politics
How long will you dance?
How long?
How many years?
How long do you see yourself dancing?
Twenty
Thirty
And you want to travel abroad in the future,
you want to show the world what you can do?
This could be your last trip
If we decided to bring a charge against you
What charge can you bring?
Please
Don't test our ingenuity
This is a formal warning
I'm saying it so that when we get back to Moscow,
I can say: I gave him a formal warning
5.15 a.m
May 27th
1961
Agree?
Tea is ready
We need to get you some decent clothes
You're a leading dancer at the Kirov
Teja come on
Good luck!
You see, I told you...
You're right.
The line isn't right
I'm not as good a dancer, but...
even I can do it
The leg should be straighter
Look
And the head should be higher. Far back
Yes
I can do better
That was magnificent!
You've never danced better
Did you feel the injury?
No
You see I said I would cure you
Yes
We can walk home together
Do you think we can do that?
You're only guilty if you choose to be
I don't choose to be
See you at home
Why are you still there?
It's his wife?
Pushkin puts up with it because he's too weak to say no
You like it, don't you?
Friends
Why would I dream of another world?
The fish for Mademoiselle
And for Monsieur, the steak
I hope you like them
How can I help?
I'm sorry. Just give us a moment
What is your problem?
That's ridiculous
Again
No, no, not like that
Again
What did you say?
What?
Are you talking about me?
What's wrong with you?
How dare you?
You're not in this ballet
You have no right to be here
Rudi, please
Why are you here?
Konstantin Mikhailovich is the Senior Ballet Master
with the Kirov
He can attend any rehearsal he chooses
Maybe
Rudi...
As it happens I wasn't speaking about you
But if I want to speak, I will
The work we're doing is difficult
It's far too difficult for you
Rudi, please
You are too old
It's out of your range
You're not good enough
You see that door
Close it. And be on the other side when you do
Konstantin Mikhailovich, I apologise
- Go! - Take no notice
I am not continuing until you go
Go
That's not how you pack a suitcase. Here, let me do it
I'll pack my own suitcase! You're stifling me!
You're killing me! The two of you!
I was trying to help
I'm home
I don't know what's been happening,
but there's an atmosphere
Leave it, sweet-pea. It doesn't matter
You're going to go to Paris Rudi...
and then you'll go to London...
and you're going to be transformed
You have a special talent
but that's going to isolate you
So you have to fight that isolation
There's no such thing as a human being who's not dependent on anyone
I'm going out
Today there is a third era
The era of Rudolf Nureyev
I am honoured to present the Nijinsky Prize...
to the brilliant young Soviet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev
Thank you very much
No, no, not tonight. You're not going out
Excuse me, miss
Why not? I don't understand
Tonight you stay with the group
What's going on? This is ridiculous, it's my birthday!
Let them have some fun!
Now come on. This isn't funny
Vitaly Dimitrivich, it's our last night in Paris
No, you've had your fun
What are you going to do? Not good publicity, is it?
Come on, be reasonable, it's our last night here
Please...
No later than two. And you're in charge of him
Yes, thank you
Thank you
All right, Rudi, let's go
We're already late. Time to go
The bus doesn't leave till the morning
I promised to Strizhevsky
Break your promise
It's up to you
- Good night - Good night
Rudi, before you go I just need a word
What is it?
Come over here, I'll tell you
We just got a telegram this morning
Khrushchev wants you to fly back to Moscow
for a special gala
A gala?
Yes, it's a great honour
to perform for the First Secretary
But I'm going to London
Later, later
The new plan is: you'll join the company
later in London
- No. I'm going right now. - No
You are going to Moscow first
I'm not going to Moscow
Rudi!
Whatever happens, I'm not going to Moscow
You stay here now. Wait a little with Strizhevsky
There's a flight to Moscow in two hours
Are you coming?
No. I'm going to London
Then who is going with me? Which other dancer?
Who's dancing with me?
You are going to Moscow alone
No I'm not going. I'd rather kill myself
Is there some kind of problem?
Rudi, let's discuss this
I'm going to scream at the top of my voice
Konstantin, please make your way to the gate
My mother is ill?!
What is this? You keep changing the story
First I'm dancing for Khrushchev then my mother is ill?
No! No! You played this trick before
on other dancers!
They're trying to send me to Moscow, they're trying to send me to prison
Rudi, are you sure?
- Of course I'm sure. I'm a dead man. - Rudi, believe me,
- it's better to do what they ask. - No!
Rudi, you'll be OK, we'll see you in London
You're never going to see me again!
Rudi, I'm sure it's a misunderstanding. It's a mistake
It's not a mistake. They won't let me dance!
Come on, go to the gate
Please, go to the gate
Rudi, I promise you, I'll tell everyone so they know what's happening
It will be all right
Go to the gate immediately
I've seen what's happening. Can I help?
Look, I have to stay here he's safe as long as I'm here
I'll give you a telephone number...
Be discreet...
Tell her to come here as quickly as possible
I'm sorry, I can't get through
And now I'm too late I have to leave
- You can't go now! - I'm sorry
Jean-Pierre
Ring this number, tell her to come at once
OK, who is it?
Someone who can help
Rudi, take a seat. We have some time. Don't worry
Clara, I can't leave him here
Airport Police
Office 3
Come in
Yes?
Has nobody told you? You have a situation down there
Tell me
There's a Russian dancer down there. He wants to defect
- A dancer? - Yes
Who is he?
Rudolf Nureyev. You've heard of him?
- Rudolf Nureyev? - Yes
Are you sure he's a dancer?
If he's a scientist this could get difficult
He's not a scientist
How do you know?
I saw him dancing last night. He didn't dance like a scientist
- Who are you? - Clara Saint
I'm a personal friend of Andre Malraux
Malraux?
Yes
So what do I do?
Will you come down?
Are there any Russian Agents down there?
Yes, he's surrounded
In that case, he's going to have to surprise them
In this situation, there are laws. We must
obey them. There's a protocol
We are not allowed to approach him
He has to approach us
Excuse me ,I'm from Le Figaro. Do you know what is happening?
No. I don't know
Two cups of coffee please
That's enough
We are in France here
Come
Step back!
Come
Do you realize what you've done?
The Russians will kill him
One moment
Very well. I made a mistake
I've re-booked you
You just want to dance, that's what you say
You're on the next flight to London
No
Rudi, you'll join the company in London
No
I think I've got to know you in the last few weeks
I understand you
A little bit
And I like you
I know where you've come from how hard you've struggled
I know how much you love your mother. Your family
Can you look your mother in the eyes...
and tell her...
I betrayed you
I betrayed the Soviet Union?
Your family will become pariahs
You won't just destroy your own life
I know that
Leave the Soviet Union now and you will spend your whole life in disgrace
You'll never get back. Never see your home again
Understand?
Never
Never return home
An hour ago, you made a mistake. In panic
I'm offering you the chance to put it right
Think about it
If he decides to stay, I'll need you
There's a lot of press down there, you'll have to deal with them
- Does he have somewhere to live? - I can find somewhere
I know people who will take him
You'll need more than one place move him every 48 hrs
Look how dirty you are
You have to wash your hands
And paste down your hair
How you look is very important
Go and change over there
Now please
you have to leave
He has to do this alone
Is this Romeo and Juliet? Is he staying for love?
What? Were you dropped on your head?
Where is he now? Is he still in the building?
He'll be tried for treason in his absence
I'm very ashamed
I'm ashamed of Nureyev
I'm ashamed of myself
All right?
Yes
His suitcase came back
I'll get supper
Hello, darling
You're all over the papers
You're famous
Any regrets?
Has he called you?
Is he going to call you?
Eventually
He hasn't yet? Why not?
Because that's not who he is
Good morning