Celebrating International Dance Day 2020

Renowned American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham had said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” Amid the

COVID-19 lockdown

, the world observes

International Dance Day

today, and choreographers list some of their favourite dance-based films for you to watch during the lockdown.

Terence Lewis

on why

Billy Elliot

is a path-breaking film
I think Billy Elliot was a beautiful and touching dance-based film because it focused on the emotional journey and struggle of a young boy, who wants to dance instead of playing football. The internal conflict of the boy, hiding his true feelings and wanting to keep his father happy at the same time, is heart-wrenching, and that struck a chord. This film is a masterpiece for several reasons — the innocence of the character, his struggle to get his father to accept his choices, the subtle subtext in the lingering silences and how it questions gender stereotypes, makes it a must-watch.

Vaibhavi Merchant on the classic appeal of

Dirty Dancing

My all-time favourite dance film is the Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey-starrer Dirty Dancing. I fell in love with the soundtrack, especially the climax song (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, and the choreography. It’s a beautiful love story, not just a dance film. I had a huge teen crush on Swayze and admired the way he moved. I still watch it; it’s a timeless film.

Melvin Louis

on how Step Up 2: The Streets grew on him
My favourite dance film is Step Up 2: The Streets — it really grew on me. Also, at that time, the street dance culture was fresh in India. So, we got hooked on to those moves easily. The various elements used in the film, especially the music, were extremely appealing. A close second favourite is Dirty Dancing. I’d also like to mention Michael Jackson tracks such as Beat it and Bad, which are real classics and hard to replicate. You hardly see that level of choreography nowadays. When I need inspiration, I turn to these classic dance tracks.

Bosco Martis on the timeless allure of Singin’ in the Rain
Singin’ in the Rain featured Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in fabulous roles. What draws me to the film is the fluidity and calmness of Kelly’s performance, apart from being so visually appealing. It’s a masterpiece.

International Dance Day: History
In 1982 the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) founded International Dance Day on April 29. They chose this date because it is the birthday of French dancer Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet.