Sergei Polunin: Beyond the Labels

Montage of ballet dancer, Sergei Polunin (Сергей Полунин), showing what a fan sees, versus what the media and others often focus on about him. This video isn’t meant to convince anyone who has already made up their mind about Sergei to change the opinions of him. It’s for the people curious about why people might still love him and for those who haven't seen much about Sergei except the bad press. And it's ultimately for the fans who understand you don't give up on people you love.
While fans differ on what they most love about Sergei, what I think we can all agree on is that he is so much more than, and often completely different than, the person he is often portrayed by others to be. I can’t speak for anyone else, but this video is my attempt to show others a glimpse of what I see when I see Sergei.
Song: Bella Notte by Ludovico Einaudi
Additional Audio: "Beyond the Obvious" interview with Tanit Koch
Source Videos listed after Disclaimer. With the exception of the "Awakening" footage, which is from 2018, all of the footage in this video is from 2019 -2021.
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FURTHER THOUGHTS: Rather than writing an essay or opinion piece few would be interested in reading, this video is my way of thinking out loud. But for those interested in a random opinion piece, here are some further thoughts:
Idealization is one of the first stages of love and fandom. But idealization can’t long survive someone like Sergei Polunin - Someone who values honesty over diplomacy and, while the two aren’t mutually exclusive, despite his frequent well-spoken moments, hasn’t yet mastered the skill of balancing both.
It seems those who most adamantly reject Sergei are those who were once admirers or fans who felt a rude awakening at the sight of his flaws. And somehow the amazing qualities that once captivated them couldn’t survive the disappointment or offense. And now the flaws are all they see.
Sergei’s most loyal fans are also fully aware of many of his flaws, weaknesses, and growing points. Fans will differ on how serious they think the flaws are, or even on what they think those shortcomings even are - his technique, his life or career choices, his values and beliefs and/or the way he sometimes expresses those beliefs, etc. But what they do agree on is that there is so much more to Sergei. And what they see matters more than any of those perceived shortcomings.
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own the rights to any of this audio or video footage and have no affiliation with the original content creators. (i.e. the video reflects my own beliefs, values, interests, and ideas and not those of the original content creators.) It was edited and shared for entertainment and inspirational purposes only and not for profit.
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Source videos: With the exception of the "Awakening" footage, which was from 2018, all of the footage in this video is from 2019 and later. Most of these videos can be found on Sergei's KZbin channel or by searching KZbin with these keywords.
"Beyond the Obvious" interview with Tanit Koch
Blackswanei and Polunin Ink Instagram videos
Little Red Riding Hood Premier promotion
"Вечерний Ургант" Interview with Elena and Sergei
Interview with Russian Times
Russia Channel 1 Interview with Sergei
Sergei and Elena "Хоккей - мир ярких красок"
“Awakening” Museum opening
Sergei Polunin X Hantang Culture
Sergei Polunin X Merk Russia
Audience recording of Raymonda 2019
“Take Me to Church” April 2020
“Bolero” premier performance April 2021
*Polunin Ink Tour Videos*: Romeo & Juliet rehearsal in London; Russian Tour Behind the Scenes: Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk; Prague Travel Log; “Satori” Russian tour Krasnodar & Voronezh; Travel Log Crimea, Sevastopol; Belarus Travel Log; Russian Tour: St Petersburg; Sergei Polunin Foundation: So Far
Screenshots from online Dance Magazine articles by Courtney Escoyne, Marisa Hayes, Lauren Wingenroth; Athanauem review dance magazine article by Hermione Dowling
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If you enjoyed Sergei's dancing you can follow his Instagram, Facebook, and You Tube page for the latest updates about his performances:
Sergei's You Tube Channel: / sergeipolunin
Sergei's Instagram: / poluninink
Sergei's Facebook: / sergeipolunin.dancer
Sergei's Official Website: poluninink.com
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If you enjoyed this video, feel free to like, comment, or share it with others to help more people see it. And, if you'd like to see more Sergei Polunin content, including some of Sergei's performances not currently available on KZbin, as well as fan-created music videos, feel free to subscribe to get notifications of my new videos. kzbin.info?su...
#sergeipolunin #сергейполунин #ballet

[@IndiaInk]

EDITOR’S NOTE: I rarely completely disable the comment sections on my videos. Most people, even if they post unfavorable comments, are at the very least civil, and when it comes to Sergei’s fans, they are often enthusiastic and simply want to express their enjoyment of his performances. When I made this video, however, my fear was it would invite comments from people who wanted to attack Sergei or begin an argument about his controversial statements and “wrong” opinions, political and otherwise. And I just couldn’t deal with moderating that at the time. My heart was already very heavy with the loss of an artist who had been “canceled” to such an extent that he had difficulty seeing any hope of being able to create the art that brought him joy and life in a meaningful way again. I saw how so many times people have treated Sergei in a similar way and how easy it would be to destroy a person who gets so much life out of being able to perform and to share his art with people. When you rip away his ability to do that, you rip away his life. And the willingness of people to do just that - to enthusiastically demand the death of an artist - if not his body, then his soul - simply because he said or thought something “wrong” is both heartbreaking and infuriating. Do I do agree with everything Sergei says and does? Of course not. There is only one perfect Person in the universe, only one Being I worship, find flawless and a God, and that Person is not Sergei Polunin. I know what it is to disagree on a fundamental level with Sergei on some of the values and beliefs that hold the deepest importance to me. But I’ve listened to Sergei and seen the content of his character and the way he treats people in his many interviews and public appearances. And I know the level of offense I might feel at the content of some of his work is not his intent. I know that he sees the world differently than I do. I know that his beliefs, like the beliefs of hundreds of millions of people on this planet, are different from mine and I would not expect him to understand how some of his actions come across to someone who believes what I do. To ask him to change what he does to try to please everyone is asking the impossible. But if I were to limit my interactions to content and people I completely agree with, I would have an incredibly narrow and ugly existence indeed. I didn’t make this video to try convince anyone who has already made up their mind about Sergei to change their opinions of him. It was, instead, for the people curious about why he still attracts fans, and for those who haven’t seen much of Sergei except the bad press. And, ultimately, it is for the fans who understand you don't give up on people you love. While it wasn’t inevitable that this video would actually receive comments critical of Sergei, when I made it, I wasn’t in a place where I could handle them if they did come. I’m not entirely sure how this will go now (or if anyone will comment at all) but after seven months, I’m opening them now. [* Since some people have mistakenly assumed otherwise - "opening" my comments does not mean I will allow any and all comments. Only that I'm willing to moderate them. If you want to be critical or negative toward Sergei, your time will be better spent posting on someone else's video. Thanks.] If you chose to read all that, thank you. Obviously, I could write a novella-length essay on everything I think and feel about this. But I’ll leave it at that for now.

[@gkummerova21]

Very well written, thank you...

[@IndiaInk]

Thank you. 🌹

[@patriziavento4782]

@Just Human condivido .Sergej e ' un ballerino grandemente eccezionale forse il migliore della sua generazione,dotato,sensibile.Io non vedo nulla di strano nelle sue affermazioni anzi in alcune concordo.Poiche' non si allinea al pensiero unico del politically correct viene boicottato.?Io sono contro i pensieri allineati di questa fasulla stampa e non posso accettare il denigrare un artista come Sergej che ci regala infinite emozioni e pura arte,almeno per me.

[@gaze505]

As for every person, or artist, biography can disappoint. Charles Dickens may disappoint us, for example, when we read his history, or movie stars… BUT what an artist gives is genuine life, beauty and inspiration. So I say look at Sergei Polunin’s artistry. It is breathtakingly lovely. It is a labor of a lifetime, a labor of love!

[@denisemoloney1751]

Perfection .. How can a mere human be so beautiful in motion .. He truly takes my breath away ..

[@IndiaInk]

He is so very beautiful and inspiring to watch. ❤️🌹✨

[@davidlees2324]

Sure… but but but take a look at Baryshnikov too…

[@IndiaInk]

@david lees Baryshnikov is nothing less than amazing, astonishing even, but I find that Sergei Polunin’s dancing has a unique emotional quality as well as a fluid and expressive grace of movement that is completely his own.

[@larisa455]

Очень точная характеристика особенностей танца Сергея

[@marisabellorini2747]

Tutte le offese, le cattiverie su Sergei non lo hanno spezzato. E' un ragazzo che ha il coraggio delle sue idee ed e' rimasto fedele a se stesso e per questo, oltre che per la sua immensa arte, lo ringrazieremo sempre. Gli rimarremo vicini, sinceri, riconoscenti e fedeli. Grazie al cielo Sergei c'e'! Grazie per questo video, India, il sorriso finale poi... e' splendido!❤

[@IndiaInk]

❤️✨

[@mariannesmith5379]

My all time favourite dancer , I can’t see enough of him . His choreography is fantastic and the way he brought Elena his wife into Rasputin was so generous and beautiful . Don’t listen to your critics Sergei , follow your dreams . I wish I could see you perform one day .

[@IndiaInk]

It is impossible it seems, to see enough of his dancing. 🥰✨. I hope to get to see him perform live someday too!

[@galinapiven3312]

Agree with you!!!!!!Super!!!!!!!

[@carlalindquist2766]

I really appreciate what you have written. I discovered.Sergei recently after watching the film Dancer and the incredible amount of energy and renewed sense of beauty that it infused into me after three months of some very soul shattering experiences, was incredible and I am so grateful to him for that. I too do not fully understand his perspective on some things, in fact they leave me baffled. But I cannot turn my back on him as a person who has chosen to share his awe inspiring gifts with the world.

[@IndiaInk]

Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry things have been so difficult for you and I’m glad you’ve found some life and beauty in the midst of it. Sergei is a very special, very beautiful soul and he gives so much through his art. I’m always grateful to be able to share his work with people who appreciate him, and in these very polarizing spaces online, it’s always encouraging to hear from people who allow themselves to love and enjoy him and his dancing, regardless of whatever differences and disagreements they might have with him. Thank you. ❤️

[@carlalindquist2766]

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see the production of Crime and Punishment? It looks so intriguing!

[@IndiaInk]

​@@carlalindquist2766 It will be interesting to see what we can of this interpretation. I believe the overall production is the vision of Igor Mirkurbanov, whose band will be performing the music. It will definitely be an intense show!

[@anatexeirapintosguerra5104]

Energía, pasión y perfección.

[@IndiaInk]

🌹✨

[@shokonakazaki4410]

I see his soul and I receive power,love and life for my day by day. Thank you SERGEI .

[@IndiaInk]

❤️✨

[@jitkaholdosova9679]

Nádherný profesionál. Nádherný člověk. Díky za jeho tanec a vše nejlepší krásné rodině

[@MsCorina222]

He transmits so much sincere love for GOD and compassion for PEOPLE. THAT'S REAL ART

[@IndiaInk]

He has such a beautiful and generous heart and gives so much of himself through his dance. A truly gifted artist and lovely human being. 🌹✨

[@cotatigirl8590]

And we wait . . . For the pure spirit of this beautiful man to mature and realize the unfortunate power of some of his words. It’s really indescribable, what we see. It’s virtuosity, it’s hope, it’s beauty, just plain old simple beauty in all its many forms, excepting that one. His talent, his grace, his dedication, his personality, his physique, his charisma. I think we need to remember he is Eastern European, with their penchant for melancholy and for self destruction, and their alcoholism. I believe these things will correct themselves as he continues to mature. I beg him to be careful. This world is not kind to idealistic, extremely talented visionaries in their 30’s, Sergei. Please, please take good care of yourself insofar as you can. 🩷

[@posypoodle6034]

Love him. A wonderful Romeo at Royal Albert Hall! X

[@IndiaInk]

Wonderful that you got to see him. 🌹✨

[@sonyawalker9212]

It hurts to look at him, he's so beautiful.

[@IndiaInk]

Very beautiful. 🌹✨

[@esterscarpa873]

I couldn’t agree more with your words, India! Sergei is much more than the cruelty of the critics and the bad press.

[@IndiaInk]

Thank you. He is. So much more ❤️✨

[@marinayeremeyeva]

Again, good selections, warm video, thank you.

[@IndiaInk]

Thank you. ❤️✨

[@galinapiven3312]

His lables don't care me,his choreography does!!!!!!Open the world for him!!!!!!!

[@IndiaInk]

🥰❤️✨

[@graziachiarolanza8254]

Bellissimo ballerino♥️

[@IndiaInk]

❤️✨

[@mariannesmith5379]

Love him teaching the little girls jumping like he does in Giselle

[@IndiaInk]

Yes. Always enjoy seeing him teaching. He loves it. 🥰✨

[@monicasousa2206]

A primeira vez que vi um vídeo de Sergei, me apaixoneis por seu estilo, tão elegante e cativante de dançar, e desde então sempre procuro vídeos de suas performances. Um balairino magnifico, e é só que importa para mim.

[@IndiaInk]

If you're looking for more videos of Sergei's performances, you might find this playlist page useful. It's a collection of all the quality recordings of Sergei's dancing that I've found on KZbin. kzbin.infoplaylists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=2 Se você estiver procurando por mais vídeos das apresentações de Sergei, esta página da playlist pode ser útil. É uma coleção de todas as gravações de qualidade da dança de Sergei que encontrei no KZbin. kzbin.infoplaylists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

[@denisemoloney1751]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@IndiaInk]

❤️❤️✨✨

[@kathyeury2144]

He is a beautiful dancer, and seems like a pleasant and kind person. He is my favorite dancer.Kathy

[@IndiaInk]

@Kathy Eury Such a beautiful dancer. People often find him to be a very kind and gentle and genuine person to be around. He’s obviously my favorite dancer too. ❤️✨

[@LynneTimko]

Love you (and Putin)! Keep dancing you make GOD happy and all of us!