R. Fiennes & A. Exarchopoulos on the set of THE WHITE CROW

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North America and key markets on Ralph Fiennes’ Rudolf Nureyev pic The White Crow

Based on the book Rudolf Nureyev: The Life by Julie Kavanaugh, the drama charts the iconic dancer’s famed defection from the Soviet Union to the West in 1961, despite KGB efforts to stop him. Fiennes directs from a script by David Hare (The Hours). The anticipated drama is still in the running for an autumn festival berth.

Acclaimed dancer Oleg Ivenko stars as Nureyev, alongside Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Color) as Clara Saint, and Fiennes as Russian ballet coach Alexander Pushkin.