If The Dancer Dances

If The Dancer Dances is a 2018 touching film that brims with intensity, grace, incredible human spirit, and the transformative power of dance. The movie hosts a robust lineup of cast members, featuring gifted dancers who wear their hearts on their sleeves, among them Davalois Fearon, Gino Grenek, and Meg Harper.

This illuminating documentary is a riveting homage to the world of dance, focusing on the reconstructive process of a timeless dance piece, 'RainForest', a 1968 creation by the legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham. Offering a captivating, behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous and often grueling process of bringing dance to the stage, the movie provides an all-access pass into the dancer's world.

If The Dancer Dances is set in a world of enigmatic routines and rigorous rehearsals, slipping the viewers into the dance studios, where raw human emotions intertwine with the eloquence of movement, and where every stretched limb, every leap in the air, and each strain of the muscle, carries a significant resonance. The essence of the movie lies not just in the riveting performance but also in the pursuit, the struggle, the perseverance, and the undying spirit of the dancers.

Davalois Fearon, Gino Grenek, and Meg Harper, along with other dancers, become the living threads of this beautifully woven narrative, driving the film forward with their dramatic dialogue of dance. Fearon, Grenek, and Harper embody the passion and dedication necessary to preserve a masterpiece while also leaving a touch of their unique essence in it. Their performances pay a heartfelt tribute to their predecessors and flesh out the essence of Merce Cunningham's groundbreaking choreography while also paying homage to each dancer's interpretative journey.

The camera work in the film is sophisticated and bold; it isn’t just a bystander but an active participant, perfectly capturing the dancers' extreme physicality, their emotional vulnerability, and the intimate relationships they form with their art and with one another. The cinematography skillfully interprets and represents the dancers' laborious efforts, their strenuous rehearsals, their taut nerves, their shared camaraderie, and their ultimate triumph of mastering the steps while respecting the choreographer's vision.

The movie beautifully encapsulates how dance is an instrument to voice the unsaid, to depict the hidden, and to talk about the unspoken. From the dancers' meticulous attention to detail to embody their roles, to their diligent practice regime, the movie covers all aspects of the grueling dance world and the extent artists go to, to keep alive the art they so dearly love.

If The Dancer Dances also underscores the pivotal role of transmission in dance, where each generation of dancers absorbs, interprets, and carries forward the legacy of choreographies injected with their unique interpretation and imprint. But more than anything, the film illuminates how the ephemeral nature of dance—the fleeting beauty of each movement—in itself forms the deepest allure of this art form.

The film is a cinematic experience that transcends the bounds of a mere documentary. It explores the world of dance in its entirety: as an art form, as a language, as a testimony of human emotions, and as an integral part of a constantly evolving cultural narrative. Through contemplative conversations with dancers, scenes from rehearsals, archive footage—and most importantly, through dance itself, the film creates a poignant dialogue about preservation, performance, and the very life of a dance piece, leaving viewers with a deeper understanding and appreciation of dance as a powerful medium of expression.

As is evident, If The Dancer Dances has a lot to offer any viewer—be it a dance enthusiast, a lover of the arts, or anyone who believes in the power of passion, determination, and the magic of hard work. It's an ode to enduring art, a testament to the lasting beauty of performance, and a lyrical celebration of the dance world. Watch this film to delve into the world of rigorous practice, immortalized choreographies, and dancers' unending engagement with the art that defines them. Expect to be moved, inspired, and transfigured by this portrayal of the sacred dance of creation.