Sep. 20, 2022|Germany|105 Min.|Unrated
Genre: Adult;Drama
Description: Nadja, a former professional ballerina, now teaches young dancers, dedicating her life to her craft despite the toll it has taken on her body. The film “Grand Jeté” opens with a striking focus on Nadja’s physical struggles, from her tense muscles to her scarred feet, highlighting the pain she endures. Cinematographer Constantin Campean uses tight, intimate shots to emphasize her discomfort, only occasionally pulling back to capture her graceful movements. Dance is Nadja’s obsession, consuming her entirely as she pushes through her pain with medication. Her personal life appears distant, including her relationship with a partner, suggesting a cold disconnect.
Her routine is disrupted when she visits her mother, Hanne, and reconnects with her estranged son, Mario. Mario, who lives with Hanne, is similarly obsessed with his physicality, balancing gym work, fitness routines, and extreme endurance acts for income. Initially, Nadja seems uncertain about her feelings toward Mario, but curiosity drives her to learn more about the son she left behind to pursue her career. The film explores themes of sacrifice, obsession, and the physical and emotional costs of their respective passions.
Cast director: Isabelle Stever
Cast actor: Sarah Grether, Emil von Schönfels, Susanne Bredehöft, Stefan Rudolf, Ellen Müller, Maya Kornev, Jule Böwe, Eva Medusa Gühne, Carl Hegemann, Sina Koburg
Original name: Grand Jeté