Bess Kargman‘s documentary First Position follows 6 young dancers as they train for and compete in the Youth America Grand Prix – which is the most important youth-oriented competition for ballet dancers in the nation.

From the trailer, it looks intense.

The central question is what these children are giving up in order to excel. One discusses that sacrifice, another claims she’s found the right balance, and still another has a story to tell about murdered parents in Sierra Leone. Yes, it looks intense. And that’s not even counting the dancing. Check it out for yourself:

First Position is in limited theaters on May 4th.