by Catherine L. Tully

What an impressive renovation! The rescue and restoration of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre is the centerpiece of this interesting film, which has a  running time of 54 minutes. You can watch it in French if you can track it, or opt for English subtitles. Either way, it’s worth the time…

Directed by Denis Sneguirev, a combination of documentary footage, photographs, interviews and animation brings the story of this project to life for the viewer. Rather than present things by using a step-by-step approach–chronicling each phase of the restoration, the director chooses to highlight moments and use the voices of those involved with the project to personalize the breadth and depth of its importance. For example, we hear from the head of security, who walks through the space pointing out the fact that everything from the door handles to the mirrors is historic here—items that were touched by and gazed into by dignitaries from many, many years ago. It really does make one stop and think…

The theatre itself is interesting (did you know it was designed in the shape of a violin’s body?), but the film also does the artists themselves justice. Footage of icons from the dance world (think Ulanova, Plisetkaya) helps tie the space itself in with the fabric of Russian culture–something that is already inseparable there.

A section of the film that was especially interesting dealt with the acoustics of the theatre. Great care was taken to make sure these details weren’t lost during the renovation. For example, the experts wanted to make sure that the floor transferred vibration so that the audience felt the music in their bodies as well as heard it. Amazing.

Bolshoi: A Renaissance, BelAir Classiques