Dance Me to My Song (1998)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Rolf de Heer

Writers:

Heather Rose (writer)
Frederick Stahl (writer)

Release Date:

22 October 1998 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A love triangle? Depends on you point of view really...

Plot:

A woman (Heather Rose) trapped in a twisted body from her bouts with the debilitating cerebral palsy...

Plot Keywords:

Caretaker | Voice Box | Computer | Cerebral Palsy | Carer

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

John Brumpton	...	Eddie
Danny Cowles	...	Joe
Catherine Fitzgerald	...	Dogface
Susie Fraser	...	Social Worker
Carmel Johnson	...	Temporary Carer
Joey Kennedy	...	Madelaine
Phil MacPherson	...	Trev
Rena Owen	...	Rix
Heather Rose	...	Julia

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Vertigo Productions Pty. Ltd.

Trivia:

The title comes from a poem written by scriptwriter Frederick Stahl. He was a friend of Heather Rose and the poem appeared in an early draft of the script. It reads: "Whatever fate may thrust at me. I'll never be the same. I've had less fear of times to be. Since first I heard your name. I need to feel secure from harm. I will not keep you long. Please hold me tight within your arm. And dance me to my song."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Heather Rose Goes to Cannes (1998)

Soundtrack:

Kizungu

A true vision into an unknown realm

I saw this film at the Telluride film festival in 98 or 99. This film has never left me. Making critical comments on this film is simply foolish. The director and Heather filmed this film over a 5 year period due to the physical limitations of the writer/actress. This was a labor of love and inspiration. This was a project that stunningly provides an impeccable vision into a kind of life that is led by some of our fellow human beings that the rest of us would prefer to deny. Some of the comments have indicated that they were uncomfortable or that they did not get it or they didn't not care for the gratuitous moments of the film. Well tough. This is reality, the pain of body, mind and spirit and the conquering of these trials by a monumental demonstration of power, creativity and fortitude that those of us defined as "normal" can not hope to understand or match. This film is a must see for any young person or adult who wants or needs an amazing reality check. This film is a vehicle to tell a story of freedom and unquenched intellect trapped but not surrendered.