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.
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.
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.
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.
Arms soft. Soft arms.
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.
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.
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.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
What?
The Raft?
I want The Raft to myself.
Rudik! Come and join in!
Come over here.
Are you alright?
Yes.
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.
This is impossible.
Why aren't we talking to each other?
This is ridiculous.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Hold my wrist, and then my hip.
Like that.
Little closer. Play please.
Look, look in my eyes.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Where?
At the Pushkins.
It's his wife?
Pushkin puts up with it because he's too weak to say no.
You like it, don't you?
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.
I am honoured to present the Nijinsky Prize...
to the brilliant young Soviet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev.
No, no, not tonight. You're not going out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Has nobody told you? You have a situation down there.
Tell me.
There's a Russian dancer down there. He wants to defect.
Who is he?
Rudolf Nureyev. You've heard of him?
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 André 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.
That's enough.
We are in France here.
Step back!
Do you realise 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?
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.