Dancer

Released Sep 9, 2016

1h 25m

Documentary

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88%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Filmmaker Steven Cantor examines the life and career of ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, from his early days in the Ukraine to his performances in the United Kingdom, Russia and America.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Filmmaker Cantor has enough access to the titular hoofer's parents, grandmother and Royal Academy colleagues to unravel his mystery of his 'retirement' and to capture the precise moment when he falls back in love with dancing.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 17, 2017

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Does a fine job of both capturing the breathtaking precision and physicality of Polunin at the top of his game, and, through extensive archive footage, tracing how the gifted child from an underprivileged background got to be one of the best in the world.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 12, 2017

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Lena Hanafy

Little White Lies

Cantor admirably succeeds in helping us relate to his star and subject.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 10, 2017

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Tori Brazier

One Room With A View

If you're in any doubt that ballet is an all-consuming, gruelling profession that can test you to your limit, and beyond, Dancer is one to watch. If you knew that already, watch it anyway...

Rated: 4/5

Mar 13, 2019

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

It's a compelling story, up to a point, but Polunin 's personal life always remains off-screen. Though that may be by design, it leaves this portrait feeling frustratingly unfinished.

Aug 18, 2017

Full Review

Jordi Costa

El Pais (Spain)

A documentary that benefits from the contemporary supersaturation of images. The film makes clear that little has remained unrecorded in the life of Polunin. [Full review in Spanish]

May 19, 2017

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Online B

I did not know who Sergei Polunin was before this, but I was completely taken aback by his extraordinary talent. His movement was effortless and his performance was astounding. He captivated my full attention, and I was truly mesmerized from beginning to end. After this, I have become a fan of Sergei Polunin. I hope more people will support and appreciate Sergei as being one of the best male ballet dancers of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/21

Full Review

kevin c

Documentary on the life and career of Sergei Polunin, who at twenty years of age became the youngest top ballet dancer at the Royal Academy of Dance and decided to walk away from it as he began to question his reasons for dancing. Interesting story that shows the unrelenting dedication and the toll it takes on the body. As well as the sacrifices made by his family. Very good documentary.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Absolutely unbelievable. I’m not even a fan of ballet whatsoever and this moved me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/17

Full Review

patricia j

It was very interesting and informative.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A revealing but not too intrusive documentary about the incredible Sergei Polunin. The film slowly and delicately reveals the layers of determination, artistry and pain which make Sergei Polunin possibly the most talented dancer of his generation.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The story of the bad boy of ballet didn't go in far enough to his self destruction... But the dancing is simply breathtaking. He transcends being human.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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Steven Cantor

Director

Sergei Polunin

Self

Gabrielle Tana

Producer

Carolyn Marks Blackwood

Executive Producer

Christine Langan

Executive Producer

Nichola Martin

Executive Producer

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Dancer: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Steven Cantor examines the life and career of ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, from his early days in the Ukraine to his performances in the United Kingdom, Russia and America.

Director: Steven Cantor
Producer: Gabrielle Tana
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BBC Films, Baby Cow Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 31, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.0K
Runtime: 1h 25m

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