France, Georgia, Sweden

DramaRomance

Coming outDancingDanceSecret loveDancerHomophobiaRivalryGeorgia europeAuditionLgbtFolk-danceTraditional dancerBrother brother relationshipGay theme

Levan Akin

Levan Gelbakhiani, Bachi Valishvili, Ana Javakishvili, Giorgi Tsereteli, Tamar Bukhnikashvili, Kakha Gogidze

Levan Akin

French Quarter Film AB, Takes Film, AMA Productions, RMV Film, Inland Film, SVT, Svenska Filminstitutet, L'Aide aux Cinémas du Monde, La Région Île-de-France, The Swedish Arts Grants Committee

NA

Merab, a devoted dancer, has been training for years with his partner Mary for a spot in the National Georgian Ensemble. The arrival of another male dancer, Irakli, sparks both an intense rivalry and romantic desire that may cause Merab to risk his future in dance as well as his relationships.

Reviews:

Author: Geronimo1967
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.