The Leningrad Legend

In January of 1989, dancer Natalia Makarova, who defected from Russia in 1970, returned to visit her former employers, Leningrad's world-famous Kirov Ballet. This is a record of that visit, as well as an informative overview of the 250 year old Vaganova School, where Makarova and many before and after her received some of the best dancing instruction available anywhere. Interviews with current instructors - all of whom were renowned dancers in their day-and with the Kirov's director, chronicle the vast changes that have swept the ballet over the past half century. At first, Makarova's critical commentary is surprising-we're not used to hearing a Russian accent in a film made in Russia roundly bashing Russia's culture. However, as Makarova goes on, one gets the impression that her comments are less a reflection of perestroika and glasnost, and more having to do with the fact that she's a prima donna (honestly, the woman complains about half the people in the film). Makarova's personality aside, The Leningrad Legend is wonderful to look at, and features a handsome sampling of film clips of past and present great dancers, including Altynai Asylmuratova, Farouk Ruzimatov, Irina Kolpakova, Natalia Dudinskaya, and Konstantin Zalinsky, among others. Recommended. [Note: Kultur also has a 60minute companion video, Makarova Returns, available for $29.95.] (Available from most distributors.)