Nestled in a small New England town is a powerhouse of a ballet school. Its genesis includes the dramatic story of a prima ballerina defecting from the Soviet Union and her tenuous climb to personal and artistic freedom. Alexandra Koltun, a graduate of the prestigious Vaganova Academy and a driven ballerina, is leading a diverse group of ballet students in their difficult journey to become professional dancers. She recounts the struggles of her father and family and fearing similar limitations as a Soviet Jew, makes a dangerous leap into what she hopes will be a new and freer life. Teaching ballet, she is shaping not only her students’ bodies, but also their characters, as she tries to instill in them that same strength that served her well throughout her life.

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Closed captions for this film were made possible with the generous support of the Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance, a program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.