At dawn, in a great classical dance conservatory, a boy falls while rehearsing some movements. Something breaks in his foot, causing sharp pain. But it's exams day and the boy refuses to quit: he tries to face his dance partner and classmates, convincing himself his body has no limits.
Direction
Grappe's unflinching close-ups refuse to look away.
Acting
Ricat's silent suffering speaks volumes.
Sound
Every crack and breath amplified to torture.
Director
Elie Grappe
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot at the actual Lausanne Conservatory, using real students—blurring documentary and fiction in ways that make the pain hit harder.
Grappe later expanded this into his feature 'Olga' (2021) about a Ukrainian gymnast—same themes of young bodies politicized and destroyed.
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