The Secret of Success

The Secret of Success is a documentary about the inner workings of the Bolshoi Theatre. The film focuses on the Russian school of realistic dance, detailing the rigorous physical and mental preparation required of performers. It follows the progression of ballet dancers at various stages of their careers, contrasting the initial lessons of young students with the polished performances of established artists who have reached the peak of their craft.

Directed by Aleksandr Shelenkov and Leonid Lavrovsky, this Soviet Union production was released in 1964. The screenplay was written by Lev Arnshtam and Leonid Lavrovsky. The film has a runtime of 77 minutes and features Aleksandr Lavrenyuk performing Ravel's Boléro.