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Film Series: disability through a whole new lens
Dance Me To My Song
Dance Me To My Song
"Dance Me to My Song" had people crowding the aisles of extra screenings at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998. It's easy to see why. "Song" is remarkable for its no-holds-barred portrayal of the daily life of a disabled person and the ultimately positive -- yet uncliched -- note on which the movie ends. The plot centers around a skewed love triangle between disabled protagonist Julia (Heather Rose), her abusive caregiver Madeline (Joel Kennedy) and a handsome, charming mystery man (John Brumpton).
The movie’s brilliance lies in showing life with a disability isn’t restricted to difficulties going to the bathroom and getting around; it also involves loneliness, love and -- at times -- lust.
”Song” begins with Julia stark naked in her wheelchair, being attended to by her caregiver, Madelaine. Far from being gratuitous, the nudity immediately drives home Julia's vulnerability. Her caregiver, the self-absorbed Madelaine, turns out to be a nightmare. Solicitous of Julia at one moment, cruel and physically abusive the next, Madelaine is obsessed with finding a man, and the quest makes her miserable. She brings a boyfriend to Julia's house, where she places dark glasses on Julia, then goes into her bedroom to have sex.
It doesn’t let up from there.
Reviewer James Berardinelli writes that many of the themes examined in the higher profile film, The Theory of Flight, starring Kenneth Branagh and Helena Bonham-Carter are also explored in “Song.” Perhaps film critic Roger Ebert described the differences between the films best in his review, "Two movies. Same story. Same objective. Similar characters. Similar situation. One is an entertainment. The other is a thunderbolt."
There's no doubt which is which. Not to be missed! Our ever-popular, ever rousing audience discussion will take place following the screening!
Awards & Recognitions
- Awarded the 1998 Australian Catholic Film Award
- Film Critics Circle of Australia: Nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Heather Rose) and Best Supporting Actress (Rena Owen)
- Awarded the Premier's Literary Award Script Writing Prize, New South Wales
disTHIS!
movies, talkback sessions and related events are open to the public. $5
suggested donation. This film is not captioned. ASL interpretation
available upon request. Space is wheelchair accessible. Snacks are
provided and there is a cash bar for drinks, but space is limited to
the first 65 people! Call 212.251.4040 to reserve YOUR seat or email:
disthis@...
WHAT: DANCE ME TO MY SONG
WHEN: Wednesday, September 5
WHERE: DCTV, 3rd Floor Screening Room
87 Lafayette Street (By Subway: 6, N, R, Q, W, J, M, Z to Canal Street; go two blocks south) between Walker and White in New York City.
TIME: 6:30 to 10pm. Screening starts @ 7pm
WHAT: DANCE ME TO MY SONG
WHEN: Wednesday, September 5
WHERE: DCTV, 3rd Floor Screening Room
87 Lafayette Street (By Subway: 6, N, R, Q, W, J, M, Z to Canal Street; go two blocks south) between Walker and White in New York City.
TIME: 6:30 to 10pm. Screening starts @ 7pm
SUGGESTED
DONATION: $5
disTHIS! movies, talkback sessions and related events are open to the public. This film is not captioned. ASL interpretation available upon request. Snacks are provided and there is a cash bar for drinks, but recent screenings following articles in the NY Times and the New York Nonprofit Press have been filled to capacity. Space is limited to the first 65 people! Don't miss out! Call 212.251.4040 to RSVP and reserve YOUR seat or email: disthis@...
disTHIS! movies, talkback sessions and related events are open to the public. This film is not captioned. ASL interpretation available upon request. Snacks are provided and there is a cash bar for drinks, but recent screenings following articles in the NY Times and the New York Nonprofit Press have been filled to capacity. Space is limited to the first 65 people! Don't miss out! Call 212.251.4040 to RSVP and reserve YOUR seat or email: disthis@...
The disTHIS! Film Series, a program of the Disabilities Network of NYC in association with DCTV, showcases independent and international short, documentary and feature films with disability themes you are unlikely to see elsewhere. disTHIS! movies are always provocative; never what audiences expect. No handkerchief necessary, no heroism required. This is disability through a whole new lens. We are made possible, in part, by the generous support of The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
For more information and to sign up for regular email updates, please visit: http://disthis.org
Visit us on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/disthisfilmseries
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