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If the Dancer Dances Videos

If the Dancer Dances: Trailer 1

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If the Dancer Dances Photos

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Movie Info

Stephen Petronio, one of today's leading dance-makers, is determined to help his dancers breathe new life into "RainForest," an iconic 1968 work by choreographer Merce Cunningham. With help from three members of the former Cunningham company, Petronio's dancers strive to restage this work, revealing what it takes to keep a dance -- and a legacy -- alive.

Genre:

documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Maia Wechsler
Producer:

Lise Friedman, Maia Wechsler
Release Date (Theaters):

Apr 26, 2019 limited
Release Date (Streaming):

Jul 25, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA):

$5.0K
Runtime:

1h 23m

Cast & Crew

Maia Wechsler
Director

Lise Friedman
Producer

Maia Wechsler
Producer

Eric Phillips-Horst
Cinematographer

Alex Rappoport
Cinematographer

Victoria Sendra
Cinematographer

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News & Interviews for If the Dancer Dances

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Critic Reviews for If the Dancer Dances

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (1)

The film may not compare to seeing RainForest in its purest form, live and sans context, but no matter: dance nerds and visual art obsessives will find much to appreciate.

August 16, 2019 | Full Review…

Leah Pickett
Chicago Reader
Modern dance devotees and fans of legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham will find much to appreciate in the lovingly crafted documentary "If the Dancer Dances."

May 3, 2019 | Full Review…

Gary Goldstein
Los Angeles Times
Although repetitive at times and, like so many show business documentaries, displaying a tendency toward self-congratulation, the film will prove fascinating for dance buffs.

April 25, 2019 | Full Review…

Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
As Wechsler allows rehearsal scenes to play out at length, the perfectionism of dancer-to-dancer lessons becomes improbably poignant.

April 25, 2019 | Full Review…

Ben Kenigsberg
New York Times
It's less of an insightful backstage documentary than a gushing, sycophantic love letter to the late Merce Cunningham.

April 20, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Wes Greene
Slant Magazine
If the Dancer Dances is reminiscent of witnessing a philologist or literary translator at play, trying to get into the mindset of someone who works in a different language.

February 25, 2020 | Full Review…

Angelica Frey
Hyperallergic
Director Maia Wechsler and her editor Mary Manhardt stayed on point with a difficult editing job to make this film hang together. It is almost too repititious...If you're not into dance particularly modern dance, this might not be for you.

May 10, 2019 | Full Review…

Linda and Al Lerner
Movies and Shakers
I found the film fascinating.

May 3, 2019 | Full Review…

Jean Lowerison
San Diego Gay & Lesbian News
Perhaps film can never really capture the essence of dance, but Wechsler does the next best thing and captures what it means to those involved in its creation.

April 29, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Jennie Kermode
Eye for Film
Though not a perfect film, I'm glad it is in the world. It's a quality record covering new ground in the dance documentary genre.

April 27, 2019 | Full Review…

Ivy Lofberg
Film Inquiry
If the Dancer Dances is obviously a must-see for any dancer, but even more than that, it's a good viewing experience for artists of any discipline.

April 26, 2019 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

Lorry Kikta
Film Threat
A rare privilege - to have this level of access to the creation of new work which is attempting to honor the legacy of such a legendary choreographer. An important document of an artistic process.

April 25, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Fiona Underhill
CC2K