Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) comes from a family of accomplished - if impoverished - dancers: his grandmother danced at La Scala; his parents at the Royal Albert Hall. His brother is a member with him in an ensemble specialising in Georgian traditional dance. But unlike his irresponsible sibling - who is more interested in general carousing - Merab dedicates himself to his craft, spending hours at practice both in the studio and at home. When talented, self-assured and charismatic newcomer Irakli (Bachi Valishvili) joins the ensemble, Merab's nose is immediately put out of joint. But Irakli's cheerfulness and talent gradually win over Merab and the two young men grow closer in ways that Merab had never expected.
Although it may be in danger of becoming known as "that gay Georgian dance movie", 'And then we Danced' seems to me to be more about a young man breaking free from the chains of tradition: not only is Merab infinitely more relaxed and comfortable when being introduced to Tbilisi's gay scene, but he is inspired to rebel against traditional dance, rooted as it is in macho culture: "He's making a mockery of Georgian dance" complains one old crusty during the film's climactic audition scene (viewers may find themselves reminded of 'Strictly Ballroom', a completely different sort of film!) Gelbakhiani does a nice job of portraying Merab's intensity - and both he and Valishvili do well to not crack a smile during a scene of frenzied mutual masturbation. Some parts of the film seem as if they have been shoehorned in to give a crash-course in Georgian culture (such as a scene with middle-aged polyphonic singers performing at a young woman's birthday party - would that really happen?) But I did appreciate the opportunity to see a film set in Georgia, a country which rarely makes it to the West's cinemas.
And then there's the dancing: we never see the dancers performing on stage for a paying audience, but there are plenty of rehearsal scenes and they really are spectacular. Merab may be "making a mockery" of traditional Georgian dance, but with its dramatic, speedy style and athletic movements I think the artform could grow in international popularity as a result of its exposure in this film.
Although it may be in danger of becoming known as "that gay Georgian dance movie", 'And then we Danced' seems to me to be more about a young man breaking free from the chains of tradition: not only is Merab infinitely more relaxed and comfortable when being introduced to Tbilisi's gay scene, but he is inspired to rebel against traditional dance, rooted as it is in macho culture: "He's making a mockery of Georgian dance" complains one old crusty during the film's climactic audition scene (viewers may find themselves reminded of 'Strictly Ballroom', a completely different sort of film!) Gelbakhiani does a nice job of portraying Merab's intensity - and both he and Valishvili do well to not crack a smile during a scene of frenzied mutual masturbation. Some parts of the film seem as if they have been shoehorned in to give a crash-course in Georgian culture (such as a scene with middle-aged polyphonic singers performing at a young woman's birthday party - would that really happen?) But I did appreciate the opportunity to see a film set in Georgia, a country which rarely makes it to the West's cinemas.
And then there's the dancing: we never see the dancers performing on stage for a paying audience, but there are plenty of rehearsal scenes and they really are spectacular. Merab may be "making a mockery" of traditional Georgian dance, but with its dramatic, speedy style and athletic movements I think the artform could grow in international popularity as a result of its exposure in this film.