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Romantic drama

And Then We Danced (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

And Then We Danced (2020) movie poster

And Then We Danced is a 2020 romantic drama directed by Levan Akin, starring Levan Gelbakhiani as Merab, Bachi Valishvili and Ana Javakishvili. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $621,446 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$621.4K
Echo Score
78
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And Then We Danced (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Levan Akin
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
Georgian
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is And Then We Danced About?

The premise of And Then We Danced without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In contemporary Georgia, a young and dedicated dancer named Merab finds his passion and routine disrupted by the arrival of Irakli, a charismatic newcomer. Irakli's exceptional talent and unconventional approach challenge Merab's established place within the traditional dance troupe and his close partnership with his girlfriend. A fierce rivalry develops, forcing Merab to confront his artistic boundaries, question his relationships, and ultimately redefine his sense of identity.

And Then We Danced Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • dance
  • gay romance
  • audition
  • gay kiss
  • gay sex
  • coming out
  • georgian dance
  • gay flirting
  • gay crush
  • dancer
  • first gay sexual experience
  • homophobia
+38 more
  • crying man
  • dancing
  • male male kiss
  • brother brother relationship
  • secret love
  • rivalry
  • dance injury
  • dancing in the street
  • waiter
  • gay interest
  • masculinity
  • sexual awakening
  • flirting
  • secret relationship
  • mutual masturbation
  • sexual tension
  • desire
  • breakup
  • heartbreak
  • cigarette smoking
  • traditional dance
  • wedding
  • first love
  • first sexual experience
  • dance school
  • dance practice
  • birthday
  • weekend trip
  • gay character
  • gay protagonist
  • taxi
  • marriage ceremony
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • four word title
  • man wears boxer shorts
  • man wears an earring
  • man wears underwear
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Cast & crew

And Then We Danced Cast & Characters

Levan Gelbakhiani leads the cast as Merab, with Bachi Valishvili as Irakli and Ana Javakishvili as Mary. Directed by Levan Akin; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Levan Akin

More films directed by Levan Akin, best-rated first: Crossing, And Then We Danced and Certain People.

Full filmography
Ratings

And Then We Danced Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave And Then We Danced 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

78 /100

And Then We Danced Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, And Then We Danced distinguishes itself through its compelling choreography and heartfelt performances, though its narrative remains somewhat familiar. The film’s percussive dance sequences and assured direction bring vivid energy to each scene, complemented by Levan Gelbakhiani’s nuanced portrayal of emotional struggle. However, the story follows a conventional coming-of-age arc with occasional pacing lulls and limited originality. In its balance of kinetic artistry and emotional resonance against a routine dramatic structure, the film delivers a rewarding experience with modest narrative ambition.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of direction and visual composition, the film excels with its dynamic framing of Georgian dance. The assured camera work and brisk editing underscore every intricate movement, while the stark use of archival black-and-white segments adds historical depth. Production design further enhances authenticity through detailed studio and rural settings. Overall, the film’s visual craftsmanship consistently energizes its central dance sequences.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth, the film benefits from a commanding central performance that conveys both vulnerability and resolve. Levan Gelbakhiani’s nuanced portrayal of Merab anchors the emotional stakes, supported by heartfelt chemistry in both friendship and romance. Secondary cast members contribute credible reactions to societal pressures, enriching the interpersonal dynamics. In sum, the characters’ emotional journeys feel genuine and compelling.

  • Story & Flow 60

    With regard to narrative flow, the film adheres to a familiar coming-of-age structure and occasionally stalls in its pacing. While the opening establishes cultural and emotional conflicts effectively, the midpoint drifts through predictable developments before building toward a cohesive finale. The plot’s straightforward approach limits its originality but still maintains audience engagement through its emotional beats. Overall, the story feels serviceable yet unremarkable.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory impact, the film’s soundtrack and sound design vividly reinforce the percussive intensity of Georgian dance. The drum-and-accordion score provides rhythmic propulsion, while ambient sound in rehearsal spaces heightens immersion. Visually, the contrast between monochrome and color sequences offers cohesive stylistic variation. Collectively, the audiovisual elements deliver a vibrant and polished sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding replay value, the film’s kinetic dance sequences and emotional performances invite repeat viewing for their expressive power. Audiences may revisit key moments to appreciate the nuanced choreography and layered character interactions. However, the conventional narrative arc and occasionally uneven pacing may temper long-term appeal. Nonetheless, the film retains enough artistic and emotional resonance to reward additional viewings.

Plot

And Then We Danced Plot Summary

What happens in And Then We Danced from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Merab, portrayed by Levan Gelbakhiani, is a passionate young dancer immersed in the vibrant world of the National Georgian Ensemble, where he practices alongside his partner and provisional girlfriend, Ana Javakishvili as Mary, and his troubled brother Giorgi Tsereteli who struggles with delinquency. One fateful day, their rehearsal is disrupted by the entrance of Bachi Valishvili as Irakli, a replacement dancer whose smug demeanor rubs some of the established dancers, as well as the choreographer Kakha Gogidze, the wrong way. Despite his initial bravado, Irakli’s remarkable talent soon earns him a place in the ensemble, much to Merab’s chagrin, who is criticized by Aleko for lacking the masculine prowess and rigidity that’s supposedly essential for a dancer.

Full summary

The whole story of And Then We Danced, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

And Then We Danced Box Office

And Then We Danced grossed $621,446 worldwide. $177,262 came from the US and Canada and $444,184 (71%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$621.4K

US & Canada
$177.3K
International
$444.2K
US & Canada 29% Rest of the world 71%
Videos

And Then We Danced Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 1 trailer, 4 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 8 videos
Official UK Trailer
  • Clip What is Georgian Dance?
  • Clip Merab & Irakli
  • Clip Dance Practice
  • Clip This isn't the Lambada!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know And Then We Danced?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main character's name?

Details

And Then We Danced Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Da cven vicekvet” and “ダンサー そして私たちは踊った”.

Also known as
  • Da cven vicekvet
  • ダンサー そして私たちは踊った
  • 그리고 우린 춤을 추었다
  • Da chven vitsek'vet
  • Ve Sonra Dans Ettik
  • Als wir tanzten
  • Et puis nous danserons
  • E Então Nós Dançamos
  • Solo nos queda bailar
  • А потім ми танцювали
  • И след това танцувахме
  • I Morgen Danser Vi
+11 more
  • Και Μετά Χορέψαμε
  • ואז רקדנו
  • Dokud se tančí
  • А потом мы танцевали
  • 然后我们跳了舞
  • 然後我們跳了舞
  • És aztán táncoltunk
  • A potem tańczyliśmy
  • Un tad mēs dejojām
  • O tada mes šokome
  • Ja siis me tantsisime

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FAQ

And Then We Danced FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of And Then We Danced, each answered in a sentence.

How long is And Then We Danced?

And Then We Danced runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was And Then We Danced released?

And Then We Danced was released on February 7, 2020.

Who directed And Then We Danced?

And Then We Danced was directed by Levan Akin.

More films by Levan Akin

Who is in the cast of And Then We Danced?

And Then We Danced stars Levan Gelbakhiani as Merab, Bachi Valishvili as Irakli and Ana Javakishvili as Mary, among 13 credited actors.

How much did And Then We Danced make at the box office?

And Then We Danced grossed $621,446 worldwide ($177,262 domestic, $444,184 international).

How is And Then We Danced rated?

And Then We Danced has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Does And Then We Danced have a post-credit scene?

No. And Then We Danced has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is And Then We Danced in?

The original language of And Then We Danced is Georgian.

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