Invitation to Dance

Invitation to Dance is a captivating and profound documentary from 2014 which features the life stories of Simi Linton and her husband Kevin. Together, they challenge the audience's understanding of disability, and empower viewers to perceive it as a social issue rather than an individual tragedy.

Invitation to Dance takes viewers on a journey through Simi Linton’s life as an educator, advocate, and performer. Simi Linton, who became disabled in a car accident as a young woman, is a fascinating and inspiring protagonist. The accident, which also took the lives of her husband and best friend, is a pivotal point in her storyline. But rather than labeling this as a tragedy, Simi sees it as a catalyst that drives her transformation into a key figure advocating for the rights and visibility of disabled people.

The documentary provides an in-depth look at Simi's life, including her childhood, the tragic accident, and her subsequent life as a leading figure in the disability rights movement. Her story is interspersed with memorable dance sequences that connect to the stories and metaphors she shares about her experience.

Simi and Kevin, both wheelchair users, seize dance as a revolutionary form of expression and connection. The couple’s decision to become dancers is not only a personal act of resistance but also a powerful political statement, demonstrating that disabled people have agency and are capable of enjoying unique forms of expression. The film bears a poignant message about the liberating power of dance, and how it empowers people, especially those who are physically challenged, to take their rightful place in society.

The movie is more than just a documentary about disability. It is also a love story between Simi and her husband Kevin, a Vietnam War veteran also using a wheelchair, who she met while he was working as a cab driver in New York City. Their shared experiences and love for dance tie them closer together. Their bond is evident in the way they lovingly support each other, both in daily life and in their shared mission to use dance as a form of liberation, an assertion of their identity and a powerful platform for their activism.

The film seamlessly navigates between personal moments and insights into the broader stories of disability, activism, and dance. Through interviews, archival footage, and beautifully choreographed dance sequences, the film sheds light on the often overlooked and marginalized stories of disabled people from diverse backgrounds. It brings to the centre stage the voices and experiences of disabled people, challenging stereotypes and the marginalization of disabled bodies in public spaces.

The direction of the film by Christian von Tippelskirch and Simi Linton is exquisite, showing the complexity of Simi's life journey without romanticizing her struggles. Their unique narrative device of utilizing dance dramatizes Simi's mission of challenging society's perceptions about disability. The film successfully combines elements of a documentary, a performance film, and a personal account, using each one to enhance the others.

Invitation to Dance also examines disability within the broader contexts of civil rights, public policy, and the arts. It can be seen as a study of how our society has treated disabled people throughout history. It encourages viewers to reevaluate their own biases and assumptions towards disability, thus sparking dialogue and contemplation on societal attitudes.

Invitation to Dance is a film that teaches empathy and calls for inclusivity while challenging notions of disability. It is a potent piece of storytelling, one that is deeply personal yet universal in its understanding of human resilience, love, and the transformative power of art.

Ultimately, Invitation to Dance is a game-changer, as it truly invites the audience to join a dance—a metaphorical dance of social change, making the world a more inclusive and equitable place for all, regardless of physical abilities or disabilities. It is a film that showcases how dance, activism, passion, and powerful storytelling can break down barriers and challenge societal norms, encouraging us all to perceive disability with a new lens of understanding, acceptance, and respect.