I found this Georgian film when it was broadcast on television, it received the full five out of five stars from the Radio Times, I didn't know anything about it, but it was up for giving it a go. Basically, Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) is a young from Georgia with dedication and passion for dancing. He is training at the National Georgian Ensemble along with his partner and non-official girlfriend, Mary (Ana Javakhishvili), and his deadbeat, delinquent brother David (Giorgi Tsereteli). During a day of rehearsals, the class is interrupted by the arrival of replacement dancer Irakli (Bachi Valishvili). The choreographer Aleko (Kakha Gogidze) and other dancers find Irakli an irritation, because of his smug and rebellious attitude, but he proves himself to be a natural talent. He soon replaces Merab in a dance, as Aleko had criticised him for his lack of masculinity and rigidity. Merab is initially jealous of Irakli's talent, as Irakli has been dancing for much less time than he has. But the two are tasked with rehearsing together and begin to bond. A friendly rivalry forms as they compete for a coveted spot in the main ensemble. Mary learns that the spot became vacant because the previous male dancer was caught having sex with another man, he was severely beaten by the other dancers and sacked. Later, it is said that the male dancer was sent by his family to a monastery to be cured of homosexuality, but he escaped after a monk took advantage of him. His family will not take him back and he has resorted to prostitution to survive. Merab visits his father Loseb (Aleko Begalishvili) who implores him to give up his passion and attend school, as there is no future in dance. Meanwhile, Merab and Irakli become friends, and Merab finds himself becoming increasingly attracted to him. On a trip with friends to visit Mary's father, Merab and Irakli succumb to their mutual attraction and have sex. Although they are discreet, Mary becomes suspicious of their closeness. Though the pair do not discuss their relationship, Merab performs a dance for Irakli in his own style as a means of communicating his feelings. After the group returns home, Irakli disappears, and Merab is unable to contact him. After several missed practices, David finally returns, but he is removed by Aleko due to his frequent absences and criminal behaviour. Merab secures a job for his brother at the restaurant where he works part-time, but they are caught dealing drugs on the job and are both fired, leading them to have a fight. Merab is in low spirits and missing Irakli, so he spends time at gay clubs, filled with drag queens and transgender women, and has a great time. However, he is seen leaving by another dancer, Luka (Levan Gabrava). The following day, Merab is hungover and performs badly during practise, until he injures his ankle. He spends time with Mary while recovering. He finally receives a call from Irakli; he tells him that he has returned home to look after his father who is dying of cancer and probably won't make the audition. Aleko discourages Merab from auditioning due to his behaviour and injury, but Merab insists on continuing to practice. While leaving, he is heckled by Luka, but Mary wants him to be careful and not end up like the ensemble's former dancer. Merab learns that David is having rushed wedding to a girl he has gotten pregnant. At the wedding, Merab spots Irakli in the crowd. Merab is happy to see him but is surprised when Irakli tells him he is leaving the city and giving up dancing. Irakli tells Merab that his father died and that he is engaged to his girlfriend to be close to and provide for his mother. Heartbroken, Merab leaves the reception before breaking down in tears, and a sympathetic Mary comforts him. At home, he is comforted by David, who reveals he was injured after standing up for his brother to Luka and the other dancers. Merab admits that he is gay, but David accepts him and encourages him to get out of Georgia to reach his full potential. On the day of the audition, Mary shows up to support Merab, whose ankle is still healing. Merab dances passionately but is nevertheless dismissed by the unimpressed director. Merab continues anyway, breaking away from the traditional dance to perform in his own unbridled, androgynous style. The director is offended by his actions and storms out, but Aleko stays to watch. After he is finished, Merab bows and departs. Also starring Tamar Bukhnikashvili as Teona, Merab's mother, Marika Gogichaishvil as grandmother Nona, Nino Gabisonia as Ninutsa, Ana Makharadze as Sopo, and Mate Khidasheli as Mate. Newcomer and real-life dancer Gelbakhiani gives a great performance as the young man having an emotional journey, Valishvili is interesting as the fellow dancer he has a crush on, and Gogidze gets his moments as the fierce tutor. It is an interesting story of a character wanting to achieve his goals while struggling with his sexuality, the emotional scenes just about work, there are themes of politics, poverty and culture that are fine, but for me the most eye-catching scenes were the electrifying dance sequences, both individual and partnered, as an overall film, it is a worthwhile coming-of-age drama. Good!
Review of And Then We Danced
