AND THEN WE DANCED
An ambitious dancer in Georgia’s National Ballet is forced to confront his desires and reevaluate his priorities after the arrival of a charming new troupe member.
A runaway audience favorite of the Directors’ Fortnight at this year’s Cannes, And Then We Danced follows Merab (breakout newcomer Levan Gelbakhiani) as he navigates rigorous daily rehearsals at Georgia’s esteemed National Ballet while struggling to make ends meet for his cash-strapped family. When lighthearted, capricious male dancer Irakli (Bachi Valishvili) joins the ensemble, the skilled newcomer poses a threat to Merab’s rank at the ballet. Merab is equal parts intimidated and captivated by the confident Irakli, whose talent earns him the respect of the ensemble’s ruthless instructor (Kakha Gogidze). When a new spot unexpectedly opens up in the troupe’s prestigious touring ensemble, Merab and Irakli are both given the opportunity to audition for the coveted spot. During intense practices and playful ensemble hangouts, the two transition from being rivals into something much more. Director Levan Akin was galvanized after Georgia’s first LGBTQ pride parade led to widespread anti-gay violence, and the exquisite And Then We Danced movingly addresses the consequences of forbidden desire in a society in which being true to oneself could spell the difference between life and death.
CAST: LEVAN GELBAKHIANI, ANA JAVAKISHVILI, BACHI VALISHVILI, GIORGI TSERETELI
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