Since 2022, and for several years, the Paris National Opera has launched an unprecedented initiative. As part of this spirit of openness, dancers and members of its Academy traveled to French Guiana to give classes, with the ambition of identifying among the region’s youth future talents who may one day perform on the stage of the Palais Garnier. Emy, Kayssly, and Lee-Wei are three young girls from French Guiana who dream of reaching the stars. Will they succeed?

This initiative is unlike any other. They are dancers—principal dancers, étoiles, and soloists. From November 23 to December 5, 2022, part of the Ballet of the Paris Opera, supported by members of the Academy, traveled to several towns across French Guiana. They began by performing on the stage of the Théâtre des Trois Fleuves in Cayenne. A first both for the local audience and for the artists themselves. In this French overseas territory in South America, the Opera had never before given a single performance.

Beyond the emotion one can imagine on both sides of the stage—for performers and audience alike—the purpose of this journey reveals, in the background, a powerful, almost revolutionary ambition. In response to the challenge of diversity now facing all levels of the Opera, and under the leadership of its director, Alexander Neef, this institution—founded over 350 years ago—has embarked on a unique journey. Its goal: to inspire vocations, encourage and discover emerging artists who may embody the new face of one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Lee-Wei, Kayssly, and Émy, aged between 12 and 16, will join many other students in attending workshops in classical and contemporary dance.

This film tells the story of encounters between different cultural worlds, connected within the same galaxy, and the possibility of bringing all these stars—real or in the making—together. The magic of these encounters, the discipline of the body, and perseverance all contribute, day after day, to the transmission of art and the nurturing of vocations. Over the course of a few days, we enter the daily lives of these young girls and witness the evolution of their passion and their unwavering dream of becoming professional dancers.

A co-production by Paris National Opera / La Belle Télé
With the participation of France Télévisions and the support of the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC)