And Then We Danced (2019)

_And Then We Danced_ is tender, defiant, and quietly powerful. Set in Georgia’s rigid national dance scene, it follows Merab, a young dancer caught between tradition and desire. The lead performance is subtle and affecting, and the choreography carries real emotional weight. _Like Call Me by Your Name_, it explores the exhilaration and ache of first love—but with a rawness and urgency that feel unique. Some story beats are familiar, and the pacing drifts at times, but the film’s sincerity and emotional payoff ring true.

"Georgian dance is about masculinity. It used to be softer, but we changed it 50 years ago." This award-winning film demonstrates that the struggle for identity, for becoming truly who we are, is worldwide and culture independent. It's a beautifully made film, with a soft, dark tone. I'm a bit of a sucker for a dance film, and I give this a 90/100 - 40 for the story, 40 for the acting and 10 points extra for the incredible, sarcastic, final dance performance. It really just blew me away and I can't stop thinking about it.

This is a superb film that depicts an excerpt in the life of a young man from Tbilisi - "Merab" (Levan Gelbakhiani) who balances his work in his family restaurant with his training to be a classical dancer at a very tough school that emphasises the masculinity and traditions of ancient Georgian dance. His life is somewhat turned upside down by the antics of his wayward brother and by the appearance of "Irakli" (Bachi Valishvili) at the dance school - a man with whom he starts to explore more of his own personal identity in a culture that takes an exceptionally dim view of homosexuality. Gelbakhiani is super here; he genuinely can dance - and the emotive themes that conveys are simple and special. The use of the traditional musical accompaniment - with frequently just a drum (and a wee bit of Abba) - all adds to this gently authentic slice of the life of this aspiring and inspirational young man on his way, we hope, to better things. The last five minutes are a wonderful demonstration of his skill/perserverance and determination.

Drama queer in Georgia, country where dance is Nation. A fairly classic gay plot on movies, but poetry and dance. Sensitive.