Joika

Did you wanna do one more?

Yeah.

Do one more. Come on.

Well done, Joy.

Today, we are with Joy Womack,

at 15 years old, one of the first Americans in history

to be accepted into Bolshoi's revered Academy.

I'm leaving in, like, um... four days.

This is my mom.

She's not even started packing.

- Say hi. - Hi!

Are you ready? One, two, three... First Arabesque!

It's true that you were scouted

while dancing for an American school?

Yes, at the Kirov in Washington.

And the Bolshoi has always been your dream?

Yes, since I was 7 years old.

This is my dance wall. Heh.

That's Natalia Osipova. She's my favorite dancer.

I wanna be her one day, because she's the best ever.

That's Anastasia Kuznetsova.

She's the newest prima at the Bolshoi.

That's me rehearsing the Little Bird solo.

That was the first time I ever danced alone,

so it was really...

Joy, congratulations.

Do you feel much pressure?

Young girls all over the world

must be watching your every move.

Is it overwhelming for you at all?

Dance is my life. It's everything to me.

I don't imagine they could put more pressure on me

- than I already put on myself. - Very exciting. Well, Joy,

we wish you all the best in your quest to make history,

and we look forward to watching your success

every step of the way.

Good morning.

I'm Joy.

Everyone stares when they first see her.

Sorry?

Natasha.

That's how you know she's who the Bolshoi will pick.

What hope do the rest of us have?

I'm sorry...

my Russian is...

I'm Joy.

I know. The American.

Everyone's wondering how you got in here. You must be special.

Good morning.

Reverence!

Plié!

Back strong.

Up, up, up!

Watch the turn out.

Chin higher, neck straight!

Alyona, swap.

Next time it won't be one place you lose.

Good, Natasha.

Straight lines. That's it.

Beautiful.

Up! Up! Up! Up! Up!

Good.

Strong.

Center!

American in the first group.

Let's see if it's a mistake.

Ease in, don't rush.

Head up. Straight ahead.

Move.

And, turn!

Good. Do we have a future prima in our midst?

Faster, lift your legs!

Turn.

Turn!

Try again.

Show me a pirouette combination in the center.

Everyone else on the wall!

And...

You're overreaching.

Don't drift.

You're drifting.

You're drifting.

Why were you closing your eyes?

I didn't mean to. I...

You want to pretend you're not here?

- No. I'm so sorry. - Want to pretend I'm not here?

No.

Changement de pieds!

No music.

And... changement de pieds!

Changement de pieds! Changement de pieds!

Changement de pieds! Changement de pieds!

One, two, three, four!

One, two, three, four!

Echappe! One, two,

three, four! Jete.

Jete! Jete! Jete! Jete! Jete!

Chaine turns!

Turn!

Turn!

Turn!

Turn! Turn! Turn!

Fouette!

Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette!

Fouette! Fouette! Fouette!

Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette!

Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette! Fouette!

Fouette! Fouette!

First Arabesque.

Release.

Grand jete! Natasha lead! And...

Saute! Arms, nice.

Beautiful.

Good, Natasha. Polina!

Natasha, you lead. And...

Jump! Jump higher!

That's it!

Good!

This woman pays for everything.

This woman pays for everything.

Bon Appetit. Enjoy your meal.

Bon Appetit. Enjoy your meal.

This woman pays for everything.

This woman... pays for everything.

For everything.

Jump!

Higher! Up!

Beautiful, Natasha.

Jump!

That's it!

Leap high, reach up!

That's it Joika, much improved.

All right, girls. Line up.

I have exciting news.

The Bolshoi have announced they are looking for a new dancer.

They have asked us to put on a performance of Paquita as an audition.

Selections will be made tomorrow morning.

Dismissed.

Looks comfortable.

Hm.

Tea?

No, thank you.

They're never going to pick you.

You know that, right?

The Company is like Russian royalty.

You'd have more chance dancing on the Moon,

probably more fun, while you're at it.

Guess I'm just naïve enough to think the best dancer

would get the role.

Fuck where they're from.

You wanna come out tonight?

A guy in my class...

His birthday.

You can see the world outside the prison.

Thanks, but...

You'd rather sit here

with your ice, uh... bucket?

- Sorry. - And there I was,

about to tell you all the secrets of the Academy.

Okay. See you later.

I am an idiot!

Go, go, go, go. Come on.

Where are we going?

I'm going to the bathroom. Don't go anywhere. Okay?

Okay.

Come on. Let's have a drink.

No, thanks.

What do you know about Volkova?

Your teacher?

I know she's the Academy Director

and that she's the one who picks...

She is done.

She hasn't had a Bolshoi selection for years.

- But she's a legend. - Look.

There is a photo in the office... Volkova's daughter.

So thin you can see through her.

That's what the Bolshoi wants. And she knows it.

This world isn't about ballet.

It's about politics.

- What's going on? - Whoa! Whoa!

Wait. What do you mean?

You'll see.

The best dancer doesn't get chosen.

Win the teacher, you win the role.

Everything else...

is wasted energy.

Good morning.

Line up, please.

Natasha.

Nadia.

Katya.

Diana.

Ksenia.

If your name was called out, you will be trying out for Paquita.

The rest of you will do background work in the Corps with Popov.

I would like to be given the chance to audition for Paquita.

I think I've worked as hard as... anyone else in the class.

I think I've made every adjustment that you've asked me,

and I'm in the top five group of dancers,

and you picked two dancers that are below me.