And Then We Danced (2019) by Levan Akin

And Then We Danced is a 2019 drama film directed by Levan Akin. It was premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festivalwhere it received a fifteen-minute standing ovation. It was one of the most favourably reviewed films out of Cannes that year. It was selected as the Swedish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Screening of the film in Georgia sparked protests, due to its portrayal of a gay love affair.

Directed by: Levan Akin
Writing Credits:  Levan Akin

Cast
Levan Gelbakhiani as Merab
Ana Javakishvili as Mary
Anano Makharadze
Bachi Valishvili as Irakli
Giorgi Tsereteli as David
Ninutsa Gabisonia
Tamar Bukhnikashvili as Teona


Plot
Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) is a young man and dedicated dancer training at the National Georgian Ensemble with his partner and pseudo-girlfriend, Mary (Ana Javakhishvili) and his deadbeat, delinquent brother David (Giorgi Tsereteli). One day, a rehearsal is interrupted by the arrival of Irakli (Bachi Valishvili), a replacement dancer. Though Irakli rankles some of the other dancers as well as the choreographer, Aleko (Kakha Gogidze) with his smug and rebellious attitude, he quickly proves himself to be a natural talent and replaces Merab in a dance, as Aleko had criticized him for not being masculine and rigid enough. Merab is initially jealous of Irakli's talent, as Irakli has been dancing for much less time than he has, but when the two start rehearsing together early in the morning, they begin to bond. A friendly rivalry forms as they compete for a coveted spot in the main ensemble, though Mary learns that the spot is vacant because the previous male dancer had been caught having sex with another man, leading him to be severely beaten by the other dancers and placed in a monastery in an effort to "correct" him; the dancer later escaped and was forced to resort to prostitution to survive.

Merab visits his father, who, with Merab's mother, used to be part of the dance ensemble. His father implores him to give up his passion and attend school, as there is no future in dance; furthermore, Aleko dislikes their family, and has been biased against him and David as a result. Meanwhile, Merab and Irakli become friends, and Merab grows increasingly attracted to him. On a trip with friends to visit Mary's father, Merab and Irakli succumb to their mutual attraction and have sex; though they remain discreet, Mary becomes suspicious of their closeness. Though the pair do not discuss their relationship, Merab performs a dance for Irakli in his own style as a means of communicating his feelings.

After the group returns home, Irakli disappears, and Merab is unable to contact him. After several missed practices, David finally arrives to the rehearsal, only to be forcibly removed by Aleko due to David's criminal behavior. Merab secures a job for his brother at the restaurant where he works part-time, only for David to get them both fired for dealing drugs on the job, leading to a fight between him and Merab and causing Merab to tell him to never see him again. Despondent and missing Irakli, Merab spontaneously befriends a young male prostitute and goes with him to a gay bar, and is seen leaving by another dancer, Luka. The next day, a hungover Merab performs poorly at practice and injures his ankle. While recovering with Mary, he finally receives a call from Irakli, who informs him that he is back in his hometown to take care of his ill father, and will probably not make the audition. Aleko also discourages Merab from auditioning due to his behavior and injury, but Merab insists on continuing to practice. While leaving, he is heckled by Luka, and Mary implores him to be careful, as she does not want him to end up like the ensemble's former dancer.

Merab learns that David is having a rushed wedding, as he has gotten a girl pregnant. At the wedding, Merab spots Irakli in the crowd. Though Merab is glad to see him, Irakli admits that he is leaving the city and giving up dancing; his father has died and he has gotten engaged to his girlfriend in order to be close to and provide for his mother. Heartbroken, Merab leaves the reception before breaking down in tears in a sympathetic Mary's arms. At home, he is comforted by David, who reveals he was injured defending Merab's honor from Luka and the other dancers; when Merab admits that he is actually gay, David accepts him and encourages him to get out of Georgia in order to reach his full potential.

On the day of the audition, Mary shows up to support Merab. Merab dances passionately despite his healing ankle, but is nevertheless dismissed by the unimpressed director. Merab continues anyway, breaking away from the traditional dance to perform in his own unbridled, androgynous style; though the offended director storms out, Aleko stays to watch. After he is finished, Merab bows and departs.