Press kit

Sant & Usant presents
Varicella
The tender and trusting relationship between two sisters
with a common dream: becoming a soloist ballet dancer
Varicella
Varicella
C H A RACTE R
B I O GRA P HY
SYN OPS IS
NASTYA & POLINA
Nastya
Polina
SYNOPSIS
Varicella portrays the tender and trusting relationship between two sisters who share a common
dream: becoming a soloist ballet dancer. Nastya, 12 years old, and Polina, 7 years old, are studying
at one of the most prestigious ballet academies in Russia through being selected among 5500
talented children from all across the country. In order to make their dream come true, they practise
intensively at the academy for six hours every weekday.
At the end of each year of their studies, they both have to pass a tough exam in order to prove that
they have developed the necessary skills to continue studying at the academy.
Only a few brilliant students at the academy have the possibility to become soloists one day.
Nastya and Polina both know this, but facing their challenges together, they find the confidence
and the power to go on, in that way overcoming their fears. They practice a lot but technique is not
everything you need to become a great dancer. In Nastya’s words “You have to dance with your soul
open”. “But how can I open my soul?” Polina asks.
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Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
NASTYA is a 12-year old girl living in Saint Petersburg where she studies modern ballet at one of the
most prestigious dance academies in the city, hence in the world. She’s got blonde hair, has delicate
features and a long neck, so she already has the looks of a soloist dancer who might one day perform
the role of Odette in Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet Swan Lake.
Nastya is emotionally mature for her age; she’s also one of the most popular girls in her class. She’s
hardworking, persevering, and a perfectionist. She has delicate features, and is polite in her manners.
When she’s in class she looks – despite her frail appearance – like a young lady. As the older sister
she’s in charge of Polina and leads their relationship in a nice way: she protects and helps her. Nastya
is a great talent and could in the future become a star performer, but she is too skinny and quite little
for her age, and might not develop the adequate body for a ballerina.
POLINA is Nastya’s younger sister. She’s seven years old and wants to be a ballet dancer, just like her
sister. Polina has round features and big, expressive dark eyes with which she explores everything
that surrounds her. She observes her sister’s movements and behaviour with almost sacral admiration. She’s also studying at the ballet academy in the first grade, which means that she will have to
pass a tough test at the end of the academic year to prove that she has developed the necessary
skills to become a permanent part of the academy.
Polina has a different body from Nastya. But she is still too young and no one can predict how her
body will grow up and if it will develop into an adequate shape for a ballerina. Therefore it’s open
where her future lies: folk dance, modern or classic ballet.
Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
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Varicella
DI R EC TO R ’S B IO G RA PHY
Varicella
DI R ECTO R’ S NOTE S
In the world of documentary film making, children are often overlooked. As a filmmaker and a father to
a 12-year-old boy, I believe in the necessity of producing documentary films for them. Films that not
only focus on subjects, situations and people that potentially might interest this age group, but also
provide them with tools that will help them grow up and become free-thinking individuals. The only
way I know to success, is through making films, with children and for children, films with an artistic
value. When Anita Rehoff Larsen asked me if I was interested in making a film for children, I accepted
on the basis of this necessity.
When I started the preparations for this film, my aim was to find some exceptional children. Boris Eifman is not only one of Russia’s best choreographers and a great personality, he’s also a good example
of an artist who influences the society in which he lives. His ballet school reflects both these aspects,
so I decided to start my research at his academy.
VICTOR KOSSAKOVSKY
Victor Kossakovsky is born in 1961 and is a Russian filmmaker. He began his career in motion pictures at the Leningrad studio of Documentaries as assistant cameraman, assistant director and editor in 1978. In many of his films, Kossakovsky plays the role of editor, cinematographer, writer, and
director. He graduated from the Higher Courses of Film Writers and Directors in Moscow in 1988. In
1993, his feature Belovy (The Belovs) won both the VPRO Joris Ivens Award and the Audience Award
at IDFA. Kossakovsky’s films have since then won over 100 awards and prizes. His latest films where
Vivan Las Antipodas! – 2011 and Demonstration - 2013. Currently Kossakovsky is working on a new
feature-length film with the title Sleepless Brothers.
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Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
The first time I saw Nastya, I was immediately impressed by the beauty of her movements. She was
just so perfect in the way she executed her exercises, and much more than her classmates she also
transmitted emotions. Then I met Polina, her younger sister, and I realized that the way they interacted
was full of tenderness, admiration, complicity and trust.
I then went on to make a thorough research, looking for the right story and the best possible characters. In this process I visited childrens’ choirs, chess schools, trampoline classes... and even a circus!
But in the end I came back to Nastya and Polina. There was something fragile and powerful in the relationship between the two sisters that captured my attention.
They are beautiful, intelligent and hardworking, and they also respect, trust and love each other. I
wanted to film beauty in its deepest sense, and share this with children. Nastya and Polina are the
best examples of this that I have found in years. Funny to say but these two little kids, talking to each
other about why they dance, helped me to answer my own most important question: why do I film?
Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
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Varicella
MEET TH E PRO DU C ERS
TH E BA L L E T ACA D E MY
SANT & USANT, NORWAY
In 2015 Sant & Usant celebrates 10 years as a production company dedicated
to documentaries. Sant & Usant has since their first premiere in 2007 released
10 films and won the award for best documentary at the Norwegian Documentary Film Festival and the prestigious Norwegian ‘Emmy’ award for Best
Documentary. In 2010 Sant & Usant ventured into the international market with
the development of international films and have the last 5 years focused on
international co-productions. In 2012 the company premiered with two international films in the competition at IDFA - Bravehearts and When the Boys Return.
The films have later been screened and won awards at film festivals all over the
world. The company’s latest film was I am Kuba that won the Tromsø Palm at
Tromsø Int. Film Festival, The Firefly at the Norwegian Documentary Film Festival
and the German-Polish Tadeusz-Mazowiecki award.
THE BORIS EIFMAN DANCE ACADEMY
Founded by the renowned Russian choreographer Boris Eifman, the Boris Eifman Dance Academy
opened its doors last September. Up until then the only professional ballet training in Saint Petersburg
was given at the 275- year-old Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Eifman takes a proactive approach in the selection process of new students. Unlike the Vaganova Ballet
Academy where candidates have to line up for auditions, he and some of his finest dancers virtually take
to the streets in their search for new talent. In his own words:
Our academy is not only a cultural, but also a social project. We want to select talented children from
orphanages, institutions and low-income families all across Russia, and give them a new chance in life... We
believe that our ballet school can give new impulses to the development of the cultural life of the city and
contribute to new approaches as to how society can help its adolescent citizens.
Eifman and his colleagues held approximately 5500 auditions and selected 90 children from all over
Russia. All classes at the academy, which is funded by the state, are free of charge and all students
receive five healthy meals per day. Students originating from the provinces live in the academy’s
residence, which also comprises a medical and psychological centre providing the students with health
and mental care. In a country where the social gap between rich and poor is becoming bigger for every
year, the philosophy behind the school is that of offering equal possibilities to all.
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Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
CO-PRODUCER: FINAL CUT FOR REAL, DENMARK
Final Cut for Real is dedicated to high-end creative documentaries for the international market. Their policy is to be curious, daring and seek out directors with
serious artistic ambitions. They do not from the outset set any limits on subjects
or locations. The company looks for interesting stories, great characters and indepth social analysis - and they also try to give the films a twist of humour. They
have produced the Oscar-nominated films The Act of Killing, The Look of Silence
and Human Scale.
CO-PRODUCER: STORY, SWEDEN
Story is a film company producing long, short as well as animated documentary films. Additionally they produce commercial work with documentary elements. Several of their productions have been financed by the Swedish Film
Institute and commissioned by the Swedish Television. The company also takes
on co-productions with international financing. The objective is to produce
internationally with a global distribution. They are also engaged in producing
and promoting the work of new and emerging filmmakers. The company has the
award- winning films Concerning Violence, Belleville Baby and Fonko.
Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
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U LTR A S PO RT K I DS
R EA L K I DS
A series of six 25 min films | Target Audience 8-12 yrs & family | HD | Release date 2015
ABOUT THE SERIES
Varicella is one out of six films in a series for children and family audience.
THE FENCING CHAMPION
Through children’s perspectives, the series tells exciting, dramatic and engaging real life stories from
the life of children in six different countries, featuring 6 kids, 6 sports, 6 countries and 6 dreams.
Ruben (10) has won nearly every fencing title in Denmark, so this season he faces some of the toughest and
most talented fencers in Europe. A lot is at stake for
Ruben and he has to find the strength within himself to
overcome his anxiety and control his temper if he is to
win the big European championship.
Sport will be the engine for the narrative, but the films offer a deeper layer dealing with subject
matters of growing up and prejudices, parent pressure, sacrifices, friendship, first love and so on.
These are subject matters that most children around the world can relate to and are likely to have
experienced for themselves at some point in their life.
We hope that the series will increase children’s appetite and interest in the world around them,
strengthen their sense of community and solidarity with other children across national borders. Above
all, the films create a safe space for children to discuss the challenges they face in their sports with
their friends and family.
DANCING FOR YOU
Director: Erlend E. Mo
Produced by Sant & Usant, Norway
TWISTERS
Dancing for You is a musical and visual film about
Vilde, 12, a nature-loving girl with a talent in an
unusual field, especially for her gender: a physicallydemanding Norwegian solo dance called Halling. She
wants to become Norway’s best solo dancer in the
big Norwegian Championships called Landskappleik
in Geilo 2014. But what is most important now is that
her grandfather survives. She believes that if she can
show Grandpa how much she loves him and life itself,
this will help her grandfather to live longer than the
doctors predicted.
CHIKARA - THE SUMO WRESTLER’S SON
Director: Simon Lereng Wilmont
Produced by Final Cut for Real
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Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
Director: Simon Lereng Wilmont
Produced by Final Cut for Real
Ruben’s best friend Marie is a fencer too, and alongside
the drama that is played out on the fencing piste, an
even greater story is unfolding, a friendship between a
boy and a girl in their early teens - a time when many
things change.
Chikara - The Sumo Wrestler’s Son follows 10-yearold Japanese boy Chikara, on his struggle to become
a sumo wrestler. His father, Harumitsu, was himself
a professional sumo wrestler in one of Tokyo’s most
revered clubs and expectations for Chikara are extremely high. Today his father runs a noodle shop,
leaving their only time together for Sumo training.
Therefore it’s important for Chikaro to do well. The
big annual Sumo Championship is coming up and it
means everything to win and make his father proud.
“There’s nothing else I want to do, oh! I love it so much”
says Ruth and sighs. By loving cheerleading Ruth knows
she has to struggle with prejudice, from everywhere.
Ruth has been selected for the competing team within
the club “Twisters”. At first she is lost, physically skilled
yet struggling with the choreography and being a newbie.
Director: Hanna Heilborn
Produced by Story
CHAPTER 11
There are great expectations upon Anita Zenani - a
South African township girl - being a junior champion
in BMX. The pressure is starting to weigh heavily on her
shoulders. With hard training and competition, as well
as growing popularity and a vast coverage of Anita’s
success in the local TV and newspapers, the expectations might be a monster growing into a giant rather
than an encouragement and inspiration.
Director: Ania Winiarska
Produced by Story
Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
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C R E D ITS
English title
Varicella (Original title: Varicella)
Type
Documentary co-production series, 1 episode of six
Duration
25 min
International Release
Autumn 2015
Format
HD, DCP/HDCAM
Screen ratio
1:1,77
Sound format
Dolby
Director
Victor Kossakovsky
Producers
Tone Grøttjord-Glenne and Anita Rehoff Larsen
Co-Producers
Monica Hellstrøm (Final Cut for Real)
Malin Hüber & Tobias Janson (Story)
Editor
Victor Kossakovsky, Ainara Vera
Animation
Vlad Grishin
DOP
Victor Kossakovsky, Ben Bernhard
Music & Performance
Ivan Bessonov
Languages
Russian with English subtitles
Main Character
Nastya Sosimovs
Sister
Polina Sosimovs
Varicella
EPK Design & Edit by Adrienne Seet | be.net/aseet
Production Company
Sant & Usant
Contact Person
Anita Rehoff Larsen
Address
P. box 6654 St. Olavs plass, 0129 Oslo, Norway
Telephone
+47 95033305
E-mail
anita@santogusant.no
Production Country
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia
Co-production
ARTE G.E.I.E
Financed by
Norwegian Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, Danish Film
Institute, Nordic Film & TV Fund.
Broadcasters involved
NRK, DR Ultra
FESTIVALS & SALES AGEN T
Company
Autlook Filmsales
Contact Person
Andrea Hock
Telephone
+43 720 34 69 34
E-mail
andrea@autlookfilms.com
Festival Distribution
Norwegian Film Institute & Autlook Filmsales
Festival Contact & Email Toril Simonsen | ts@nfi.no
Links
www.santogusant.no
www.autlookfilms.com
www.nfi.no/english
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Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
Varicella by Victor Kossakovsky
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