Directed by Kiwi James Napier Robertson (Whina, The Dark Horse) Joika is based on the true story of Joy Womack, who made history as an American ballerina who was accepted into the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. At fifteen years old she left her family home in Texas to travel to Moscow to follow her dream – to become a Prima Ballerina at the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Company.

 

Joika effortlessly adds to the library of films that explore compelling, dramatic, and sinister elements of the ballet world (Black Swan) and destructive teacher/student relationships (Whiplash). While there isn’t anything particularly revelatory here in terms of the narrative or the themes explored, it’s still a heck of an experience. 

 

The frame of the story of Joika, from which everything should be viewed through, is when Joy is asked by an interviewer about whether she feels the pressure of being the first American to be accepted into the Bolshoi. She replies, “I don’t imagine they could put any more pressure on me than I already put on myself.” 

 

Through this, we begin to see the insatiable drive that pushes Joy ever forward, with high disregard to her well being. The way in which the dance scenes in particular are cut together, rough and ready, fast and ferocious, with a real sense of chaos, completely draws you into not only Joy’s world but into her mind as well. 

 

Cinematographer Tomasz Naumiuk’s work here is an act of divine beauty capturing the delicate nuances and wonder of the ballet contrasted by the bleak and despairing world off the stage. The way in which the camera hovers over a creaking limb, bent out of shape into a fairly inhuman form, has you watching through half closed eyes, ready to shut them quickly if that limb breaks. 

 

Talia Ryder is a revelation as Joy, perfectly capturing the insatiable drive for success at any cost. Not only does she completely disappear into the character of Joy, but she more than holds her own in the verbal sparring duels with Kruger’s Volkova.

 

With wince-inducing and ferocious dance sequences, Joika takes us deep into the competitive world of ballet with a terrific lead performance from Talia Ryder.