Watch The White Crow

The White Crow is a biographical drama film from 2018, directed by Ralph Fiennes. The movie tells the story of the famous Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who defected to the West in 1961, during the Cold War. With stunning performances, impressive choreography, and beautiful cinematography, this movie brings to life the extraordinary journey of Nureyev, from his humble beginnings to his legendary career and ultimately his dramatic escape to freedom.

The film starts in the early 1950s in Russia, when young Rudolf is encouraged by his mother to take up ballet lessons. Fiercely ambitious and gifted, he quickly rises through the ranks and wins a scholarship to study at the Leningrad Ballet School, now known as the Vaganova Academy. There he meets Soviet dance icon Alexander Pushkin, who becomes his mentor and teaches him the art of self-expression through ballet.

The story then follows Nureyev's rise to stardom in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and his early struggles with the oppressive Soviet regime. As the movie progresses, we see the tension between Nureyev and his Kirov colleagues, as he continually questions and challenges the artistic constraints placed upon him by Soviet-era dogma. Despite his charisma and remarkable talent, Rudolf's independent spirit clashes with the rigid, conformist ballet culture of the Soviet Union.

The real turning point in Nureyev's story comes in 1961, when he arrives in Paris with the Kirov Ballet for a series of performances. During his stay, he falls in love with the city, its freedoms, and its intellectual vibrancy. He becomes friends with Clara Saint (Adele Exarchopoulos), a French woman who introduces him to the possibilities of life outside the Soviet Union. As Nureyev's fame grows, he is increasingly frustrated by the restrictions put upon him by the Kirov and the Soviet authorities. His defiance culminates in a tense standoff at the airport, as he is prevented from leaving the country to return to Paris.

The climax of the film is the gripping portrayal of Nureyev's defection at Le Bourget Airport in June 1961. As the Kirov dancers are boarding their plane back to Russia, Nureyev suddenly changes his mind and decides not to board the plane. Ralph Fiennes, who also portrays Pushkin in the film, delivers a masterful performance as the KGB agent trying to detain Nureyev, while Nureyev's French friends and colleagues work to help him buy time and evade capture. The scene is a heart-pounding thriller, with emotional stakes that are both poignant and suspenseful.

The White Crow is a visually stunning movie, with intricate ballet sequences interspersed throughout the dramatic narrative. The beauty of ballet is captured in exquisite detail, with the camera often lingering on the movements and expressions of the dancers. The film is also notable for its portrayal of Nureyev's sexuality, which has been the subject of controversy for decades. Although Nureyev was not openly gay during his lifetime, it is believed that he had several relationships with men. The movie sensitively addresses these aspects of his life and relationships, without being sensationalistic.

The cast of The White Crow is outstanding, with Ukrainian dancer Oleg Ivenko delivering a powerful performance as Nureyev. Ivenko masterfully captures the complexity of Nureyev's character, conveying the fire, the passion, and the arrogance that made him one of the greatest dancers of his time. Ralph Fiennes is equally impressive as Pushkin, and the two actors have a compelling chemistry on-screen. Adele Exarchopoulos is also excellent as Clara Saint, bringing warmth and humanity to her character.

Overall, The White Crow is a stunning film, which brings to life the remarkable story of Rudolf Nureyev. It is a gripping and deeply satisfying drama, which explores themes of artistic freedom, personal liberation, and the sacrifices that people make to pursue their passions. Whether you are a fan of ballet or not, this movie is a must-see, as it is sure to leave you inspired and moved.

The White Crow is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 61.