Backstage, from the Opéra de Paris to the Mariinsky Theater

The Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris and the Mariinsky Theater are two of the most influential and important institutions in classical ballet. In her documentary Backstage, Marlène Ionesco goes behind the scenes with these two extraordinary ballet companies.

Backstage, before the curtain rises, in the rehearsal studios... from extreme concentration to exhaustion to self-doubt, we discover the lives behind-the-scenes of exceptional artists like Isabelle Ciaravola, Aurélie Dupont, Nicolas Le Riche, Agnès Letestu, José Carlos Martinez, Ouliana Lopatkina, and others. From those who recently bid the stage farewell, to those who are just beginning their careers, this film follows several generations of ballet's greatest stars. 

Photo: Performance of the Opéra de Paris Ballet Corps 2016 © Opéra national de Paris