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Polina (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Polina (2017) movie poster

Polina is a 2017 drama directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller, starring Juliette Binoche, Niels Schneider and Miglen Mirtchev. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$1M
Echo Score
68
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Polina (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Polina About?

The premise of Polina without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Driven by a desire for perfection, a young ballerina's rigorous classical dance training leads her towards a promising career at the Bolshoi Ballet. However, an unexpected encounter with contemporary dance sparks a personal and artistic crisis, challenging her established path. Ultimately, she makes a daring choice, leaving behind her former life to journey to France and explore a new creative direction. There, she grapples with finding her place and defining her artistic identity.

Polina Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • girl
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Cast & crew

Polina Cast

Juliette Binoche leads the cast, with Niels Schneider and Miglen Mirtchev. Directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller

One more film directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller: Snow White.

Ratings

Polina Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Polina 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (35).

68 /100

Polina Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film delivers strong visual and choreographic achievements but is hampered by an underdeveloped narrative framework. While most reviews commend the painterly cinematography and energetic dance sequences, many also point to narrative opacity and a lack of dramatic propulsion. Performances are believable yet occasionally feel surface-level, limiting emotional engagement. The film’s sensory clarity and inventive movement design stand out, but the uneven storyline and sparse character depth temper its overall effectiveness.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design is a clear asset. Reviews highlight the painterly widescreen cinematography and expressive choreography that bring vibrant tableaux to life. The production supports each dance sequence with careful framing and color choices. Overall, the visual presentation offers a consistently arresting backdrop that sustains the film’s formal ambitions.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are credible but the central figure remains somewhat inaccessible. Many note the lead’s unforced delivery, yet some criticism points to a lack of inner life that leaves emotional depth underexplored. Moments of genuine resonance arise through subtle gestures, but the character trajectory feels thin. In sum, the acting is capable but the emotional connection is uneven.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story and flow represent one of the film’s weaker components. Critics frequently describe the narrative as inert or formless, noting that plot developments offer limited cohesion and occasional narrative opacity. Pacing is deliberately measured but often feels aimless without a strong dramatic thrust. As a result, engagement with the storyline fluctuates, leaving the dramatic framework underpowered and diminishing the film’s overall momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 87

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film impresses with its vibrant visual style and dynamic movement. The choreography conveys energy and color, supported by crisp visual composition that highlights both grand dance sequences and intimate moments. While the soundtrack receives less attention, the balance of sound and imagery creates cohesive atmospheres throughout. Overall, this sensory clarity reinforces the film’s aesthetic identity and appeal.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch potential, the film’s striking visuals and choreographic inventiveness offer appeal on repeat viewings. The dynamic dance set pieces retain their kinetic energy, and subtle visual details emerge upon closer inspection. However, the underdeveloped dramatic core and narrative opacity may reduce motivation for subsequent viewings. Ultimately, the film holds moderate repeat value for those drawn to its aesthetic strengths, but the thin storyline limits long-term replay enjoyment.

Plot

Polina Plot Summary

What happens in Polina from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As a child Polina auditions for ballet school and is accepted. The head teacher and choreographer, Bojinski, notices her talent and pushes her hard, sensing the spark of something exceptional. Yet she continually wrestles with the rigidity of training for ballet and her own growing passion for dance, torn between precision and the urge to move with feeling.

Full summary

The whole story of Polina, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Polina Box Office

Polina grossed $1 million worldwide. $165,203 came from the US and Canada and $835,271 (83%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1M

US & Canada
$165.2K
International
$835.3K
US & Canada 17% Rest of the world 83%
Videos

Polina Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Polina.

Polina Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Polina?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What type of dance does Polina initially train in as a child?

Details

Polina Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “폴리나” and “Polina: Ο Χορός είναι η Ζωή μου”.

Also known as
  • 폴리나
  • Polina: Ο Χορός είναι η Ζωή μου
  • Балерина
  • Полина
  • Polīna. Dzīves deja
  • 波丽娜:舞蹈人生
  • Polina, danser sa vie
  • 翩翩人生波麗娜
  • 波麗娜
  • Поліна
  • ポリーナ、私を踊る

Seen Polina?

FAQ

Polina FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Polina, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Polina?

Polina runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Polina released?

Polina was released on August 25, 2017.

Who directed Polina?

Polina was directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller.

More films by Angelin Preljocaj

Who is in the cast of Polina?

Polina stars Juliette Binoche, Niels Schneider and Miglen Mirtchev, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Polina make at the box office?

Polina grossed $1 million worldwide ($165,203 domestic, $835,271 international).

How is Polina rated?

Polina has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Polina have a post-credit scene?

No. Polina has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Polina in?

The original language of Polina is French.

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