This was screened on television and it was the old story - I thought I'd watch the first minute or so then switch channels and became engrossed. There are no opening credits and helmsman Ralf Fiennes has crammed the film with - to me - total unknowns with the exception of himself, speaking Russian yet, but though unknown to me every one was totally brilliant. I had no prior knowledge of the project which turned out to centre on Nureyev's defection to the West in 1961 with flashbacks to his childhood and life until the defection with nothing beyond. Oleg Ivenko, making his acting debut, is a dancer himself so has little difficulty handling the ballet scenes; Fiennes does well in the dual role of director and actor, playing Rudi's teacher and mentor Pushkin but the acting honours are stolen by Chulpan Khamatova as Pushkin's wife. May struggle to make its neg cost back but don't let that deter you.
Review of The White Crow
