Maiko - Dancing Child

Maiko’s fate was sealed before she was even born; her Japanese name means “dancing child.” Now a ballet dancer, she has over-delivered on that promise, but she and her family have had to make many sacrifices along the way. At the age of 15 she moved from Japan to London to attend a prestigious dance school. In order to pay the tuition, her mother sold their house and her parents denied themselves any form of luxury. Failure just wasn’t an option. In her early thirties now, she’s right where she wants to be, with the Norwegian National Ballet as the company’s prima ballerina. But Maiko’s starting to get a little uneasy – she wants a child. Is it possible to combine motherhood with keeping a place at the top of her profession? In the ballet world, whether it’s for maternity leave or any other reason, if you stand up you lose your seat; there’s always young talent waiting in the wings to replace you. What’s more, pregnancy is a real attack on the body for a dancer, so Maiko is facing a real dilemma. Or is she? This balanced portrait shows how tenacious Maiko can be when it comes to realizing both dreams. Gorgeous shots of performances and observational shots during training sessions are intercut with more intimate scenes from Maiko’s domestic life. In voice-over she talks about her special bond with her mother and the choices she made.