A Ballerina’s Tale (USA)  

Superstar Misty Copeland’s story is an inspirational one, and this glossy doc goes to extra lengths to show the true meaning of her achievement: as the first black prima—or principal soloist—at a major company (American Ballet Theatre), she’s overcome more than a century of racism, not to mention the pale, emaciated ideal blamed here on George Balanchine.

Even in grainy video from her early days, this dancer sends sparks flying. We get a good sense not just of her artistry, but of the sheer grit and strong mentorship it’s taken to get her to the top.

Still, the pic could dig deeper into her beyond-humble beginnings in a small home with six kids, and a mention of struggles with eating disorders is rushed over with the speed of one of her killer pirouettes.