Ralph Fiennes to Direct Rudolf Nureyev Movie ‘The White Crow’

Date: 2017-2018

Ralph Fiennes to Direct Rudolf Nureyev Movie ‘The White Crow’

Ralph Fiennes is to direct “The White Crow,” writtenby David Hare, which centers on the life of Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. HanWay Films is handling world sales and will introduce the project to buyers in Berlin.

The film is based on Julie Kavanagh’s book “Rudolf Nureyev: The Life,” which “delves into the most cinematic, cultural and politically charged chapter of [the life of Nureyev], a fearless, explosive personality both on and off the stage,” according to a statement.

Fiennes said: “This is a story of an uncompromising spirit, of homeland and ideologies that restrict, and of friendship. It is, equally, a tale about the life and ballet culture he left behind in Russia.”

The film is being produced by Gabrielle Tana, who was nominated for an Academy Award for “Philomena,” through Magnolia Mae Productions, and Francois Ivernel through Montebello Productions.

Russian dancer Oleg Ivenko will play Nureyev and Adele Exarchopoulos (“Blue is the Warmest Color”) plays Clara Saint, who opened Nureyev’s eyes to the Nouvelle Vague in Paris and helped choreograph his defection. The cast also includes Ukrainian dancer Sergei Polunin and Russian actress Chulpan Khamatova.