Polina

In this fascinating French drama, a young Russian dancer from a humble background works her way towards an audition for the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet, but that's just the start of her journey towards self-discovery. In the central role, Anastasia Shevtsova, herself from the Mariinsky Ballet of St Petersburg, has all the expressive technique to convincingly demonstrate Polina's wayward progress from her fierce classical training to the improvisatory modern styles that she encounters in the West. Off-stage, the characterisation seems slightly vague, keeping the viewer emotionally removed from the story. The point, however, is that dance is her very being, and so the film only comes to life through movement and music, in sequences which display co-director Angelin Preljocaj's experience as one of France's top choreographers. Juliette Binoche pops up effectively as the demanding artistic director of a cutting-edge company in Provence, bringing a jolt of energy to a production that plays like Billy Elliot for grown-ups thanks to its authenticity and absorbing seriousness of purpose.