And Then We Danced Screening With Levan Akin

Director Levan Akin joins us to discuss his new film And Then We Danced, which has recently been selected as the Swedish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. In this passionate tale of love and liberation set against the backdrop of Georgian traditional dance, ambitious young Merab has been training from an early age to earn a spot in the National Georgian Ensemble with his partner, Mary. But his world is suddenly turned upside down with the arrival of the charismatic, naturally gifted Irlaki, who becomes both his strongest rival and desire.

Within the highly gender-conservative, traditional world of Georgian dance, Merab must navigate his newfound feelings of attraction while competing for his lifelong goal. But as the two young men grow closer together and their mutual longing comes to the surface, they may unleash a floodgate that will pit them against the country’s culture. Directed by Levan Akin (Sweden, 2019)

This screening is co-presented with the Consulate General of Sweden in New York.

Initially screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, And Then We Danced offers a riveting and visceral lead performance from newcomer Levan Gelbakhiani as Merab. Following the screening, Levan Akin will present a Q&A.

“An unmissable, touching film about dance, identity and everything in between.”—Film Inquiry