Rent And Then We Danced (2019)

Desire and ambition in modern Georgia - And Then We Danced review by JB

This tale of career ambition and competition in the dance world and how that intersects with same-sex love was controversial in its home country of Georgia, but quite rightly praised at international film festivals.

Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) has dancing in his blood - various people in older generations of his family have had successful if ultimately unfulfilling careers in traditional Georgian dance. He wants to be the best - but so does new classmate Irakli (Bachi Valishvili). Gossip flies about Irakli and how he was kicked out of his former school after he slept with another male dancer. This awakens something in Merab and it's not just the spirit of competition.

This is such an assured, beautiful and sad film. How in some parts of the world same-sex desire is still taboo and how it has horrible consequences for those who feel unable to express it. It's wonderfully shot and acted and you feel every uttered and unuttered desire thanks to great chemistry between the leads. There's also a moment of emotional intimacy later on between Mehrab and his brother that's as good as that climactic father-son exchange in Call Me By Your Name. But not only that, it's also about career ambitions and how love and vocational success are not so far apart - how going your own way is ultimately sometimes the right thing for someone, if they're lucky (or talented) enough to be able to do it.

Although Georgian dancing is alien to me, the emotional power of this film makes the dancing's high drama universal. And the movie's other themes of self discovery and self actualisation are just stunningly and movingly conveyed.

Didn’t hold my attention - And Then We Danced review by LH

I watch many world films, but this just couldn’t hold my attention. Even a film making an important message should have some enjoyment factor.

We danced incomprehensibly - And Then We Danced review by RCO

It was ok, but not knowing the homophobic background in Georgia or really appreciating the formal nature of Georgian dance as an expression of a particular cultural identity it didn't really resonate.

Several quite nice scenes - eg the tour of the underground Tibliski nightlife, the wedding party - using fluid camerawork and ensemble acting. These stood out as powerful filmmaking, but the stuff in the dance studio seemed dull and fake.  The romantic storyline I found unconvincing and for me dance is an art form that only really works if you are the dancer - watching dance is as boring as watching gymnastics.