And Then We Danced

113 minutes

Georgian

Sweden
Georgia
France

A passionate tale of love and liberation set amidst the ultraconservative confines of modern Georgian society, AND THEN WE DANCED follows Merab, a devoted dancer who has been training for years with his partner Mary for a spot in the National Georgian Ensemble. The arrival of another male dancer, Irakli—gifted with perfect form and equipped with a rebellious streak—throws Merab off balance, sparking both an intense rivalry and romantic desire that may cause him to risk his future in dance as well as his relationships with Mary and his family.

starring...

Levan Gelbakhiani

Merab

Bachi Valishvili

Irakli

Ana Javakishvili

Mary

Giorgi Tsereteli

David

Tamar Bukhnikashvili

Teona

Marika Gogichaishvili

Grandma Nona

Writer, Director

Levan Akin

Cinematography

Lisabi Fridell

Editing

Levan Akin, Simon Carlgren

Production Design

Teo Baramidze

Art Direction

Sulejmen Peljto

Producer

Ketie Danelia, Mathilde Dedye

78% on the CINEMETER

ATL

70% - Feb 23, 2020

“Beautiful, poignant. Yay.”
Atlanta Member

“Touching, lovely film.”
Atlanta Member

“Absolutely spectacular! Cinematography, dance, plot … Powerful.”
Atlanta Member

STL

85% - Feb 23, 2020

Music was jarring in many key scenes, and I think it was meant to be that way. Really bracing at times. The lead actor is what makes this movie truly worth watching.
St. Louis Member

What I love most about the Cinema Club is the chance to see so many things I have never/could never see in real life. Loved the use of music.
St. Louis Member

A very poignant story of gay life in a repressive country and culture.
St. Louis Member

I can hardly find words. This film was beautiful and heartbreaking. The dance and music moved me as if I had never known either before.
St. Louis Member

Love is love! No matter the race, sex, origin or anything else.
St. Louis Member

Merab was simply charming: so talented, so vulnerable, so alive. I love dance. The film was marvelous!
St. Louis Member

Rich, engaging, powerful storytelling. Combined story of cultural tradition with exploration of personal identity and vulnerabilities of youth.
St. Louis Member

A tragic tale of sexual awakening and the clash with societal constraints. Merab's dance at the end was the epitome or strength and grace.
St. Louis Member

I thought the depiction of the youth culture was well done. Loved the surprising embrace between the brothers in the end.
St. Louis Member

Welcome to the 21st Century. Almost like the flip side of "Portrait of a Lady" with a little "Flash Dance" at the end. Merab's struggle in the rigid tradition of Georgian dance mirror his broader clash with the homophobic culture, but in the end, he broke through--free.
St. Louis Member

Another beautiful, but heartbreaking love story that was beautifully filmed. Merab's eyes were very expressive--showing anger, jealousy, happiness, longing, sadness, and helplessness. I enjoyed seeing the dance sequences which showed how grueling this art form is. The film also did a good job of showing how much of Eastern European life revolves around eating and smoking. Great story-telling involving another country's culture as well as a non-traditional love story, which was handled very emotionally and beautifully. Interesting how often Merab would hide in the fetal position, which I thought was indicating he was born with his orientation and persona.
St. Louis Member

73% - Feb 16, 2020

Beautiful film: artistic, sensitive. Superb acting, music, dance – all of it! This is the kind of film I delight in seeing at the Cinema Club. [Note: many praised the acting and the music, the two categories that received the highest ratings.]
Greater New Haven Member

Deeply affecting and engrossing portrait of conflict between love and loss in a society between tradition and modernity. Spectacular film.
Greater New Haven Member

Spectacular!!! Loved the entire movie. The pace, the music, the acting, the way he came into his own sexually, and the depiction of the way people ostracize gays, especially in the Eastern Block. Loved it!!
Greater New Haven Member

A story that only grew more beautiful and delicious as it went on. A gorgeous celebration of masculinity, love, and destiny.
Greater New Haven Member

Fascinating visuals and topic (Georgian dance). Storyline was a bit predictable and formulaic. The scene with the two brothers at the end was an unexpected redemption. The camerawork was spectacular, the visuals elevated the storyline. A contrast with PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE. The historic context is key to understanding the film.
Greater New Haven Member

This is everything that A LADY ON FIRE wasn’t. Multilayered themes so well-developed and I felt vested in the outcomes for all the leads. Brother relationship touching. [Note: several members singled out the penultimate scene with the two brothers.]
Greater New Haven Member

Loved the music: the steady drumbeat and the pounding bass in the club. I'd classify this movie under 'toxic masculinity.' What is tradition? Georgian culture/dance seems to honor old attitudes - not inclusive. I loved how Merab danced at the end: He accepted himself. He was 'mocking' tradition. Powerful and honest. Thank you!
Greater New Haven Member

The film was excellent. There were so many layers. I find that I am left wanting to see more. The main characters were intriguing, and the supporting characters have much more to say. I also feel that this gave a nice introduction to both Georgian culture and the world of dance.
Greater New Haven Member

Despite repressive and authoritarian culture, love and reconciliation is well-founded in groups of young people and families. Even the ‘masculine’ teacher at the end ‘tolerates’ and ‘accepts’ his dance. [Similar comment: There was a wonderful kindness expressed through families and friends that I liked.]
Greater New Haven Member

Should have won the Academy Award! Wonderful, delightful, yet significant depth. I loved it!
Greater New Haven Member

Powerful and hopeful – until I heard how it was received by many in Georgia. But my hope is that it will result in conversation and change with time.
Greater New Haven Member

Great access to another culture in a movie that showed (rather than told) of a character’s torment and triumph. Another brilliant Sunday morning. Thank you, Cinema Club!
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

Feb 16, 2020

71% - Feb 16, 2020

Such a melancholy story of the joys of sensuality embodied in the movement of dance - ending in that glorious dance of defiance and departure.
Washington, DC Member

Having spent time in Georgia I found this movie very moving...Their music and dance are extraordinary and an integral part of their history and heritage. I hope others can appreciate this film.
Washington, DC Member

Beautifully acted with real chemistry between the two male leads. Cinematography was particularly lovely - the camera was like a caress. The tenderness between the two brothers at the end took my breath away.
Washington, DC Member

Heartbreaking on so many levels - beautifully rendered. Terrific , raw, realistic acting.
Washington, DC Member

Very unpredictable film that was unpredictable. Pacing was perfect. I especially liked the use of sound -- mostly ambient sounds supplemented occasionally with occasionally songs.
Washington, DC Member

MIL

92% - Nov 17, 2019

The music and dancing were otherworldly! Beautiful names, people, and provocative in place and time.
Milwaukee Member

Spectacular! Excellent on all points!
Milwaukee Member

Engaging, and provocative, sad but hopeful.
Milwaukee Member

Thank you for screening this film. This is the kind of film I expect the Cinema Club to show: a challenging foreign film that would not make it to Milwaukee otherwise.
Milwaukee Member

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