"The American" is a 2023 drama film directed by James Napier Robertson, inspired by the true story of Joy Womack, one of the few Americans accepted into Russia's prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy.
Synopsis: The film follows Joy Womack, portrayed by Talia Ryder, a determined American ballet dancer who gains acceptance into the rigorous Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. Under the mentorship of the demanding instructor Tatiyana Volkova, played by Diane Kruger, Joy navigates the challenges of intense training, cultural differences, and personal sacrifices in her pursuit of becoming a prima ballerina.
Summary: "The American" tells the inspiring true story of Joy Womack, an American ballet dancer who overcomes cultural barriers and personal challenges to pursue her dream at Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet Academy. The film highlights themes of dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance, offering a compelling look into the demanding world of professional ballet.
Themes:
Dedication and Sacrifice: Explores the relentless commitment required to succeed in the competitive world of ballet.
Cultural Identity: Examines the challenges of adapting to a foreign culture while maintaining one's own identity.
Mentorship and Influence: Highlights the complex relationships between students and their mentors.
Perseverance: Showcases the resilience needed to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of excellence.
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 7 nominations:
Miami Film Festival 2024:
Knight Marimbas Award (Nominee) – James Napier Robertson
Best Script (Nominee) – James Napier Robertson
Art of Light Award (Nominee) – James Napier Robertson (Director), Tomasz Naumiuk (Cinematographer)
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2024:
Best of the Fest Audience Vote – Best Film (Winner) – James Napier Robertson
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024:
Outstanding Director Award (Nominee) – James Napier Robertson
Outstanding Performance Award (Nominee) – Diane Kruger
Golden Trailer Awards 2024:
Best Foreign Drama Trailer (Nominee)
Critical Reception: The film has garnered positive reviews, holding a 7.1/10 rating on IMDb based on 7.6K user ratings. Critics have praised the performances, particularly Talia Ryder's portrayal of Joy Womack, and the film's depiction of the demanding world of professional ballet. For instance, Radio Times described it as "a rich visual feast with a bitter, edgy core and an excellent ensemble cast led by a fully committed [Talia] Ryder."
Reviews:
Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a 4 out of 5-star rating, with critics noting its portrayal of dedication and sacrifice in the world of ballet.
High On Films: Described as a "harrowing drama," the film follows the true-life story of an American ballerina aspiring to join a revered ballet academy in Russia, highlighting the challenges she faces in this pursuit.
IMDb User Reviews: One viewer remarked, "Fabulous film, I gave it a solid 8," appreciating the depiction of the protagonist's dream and the challenges in becoming a great ballerina.
Gazettely: The film is praised as a "biopic that does justice to its real-life inspiration," focusing on the ambitious journey of Joy Womack
Box Office Performance: As of now, "The American" has grossed $433,308 worldwide.
IMDb
Production Details:
Production Companies:
Ingenious Media
Four Knights Film
Madants
New Zealand Film Commission
Polish Film Institute
Department of Post
Moderator Inwestycje Group
Distribution:
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12531856/
About movie: https://embankmentfilms.com/title/joika
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/joika (US), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/joika (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/joika (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/joika (France), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/joika (Germany)
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