How And Then We Danced enraged an entire nation | video essay

Georgia Pride // Russian propaganda // anti LGBTQ movement // Queer representation // Queer movie review // Homophobia in Russia
Information Sources mentioned in video:
#1 Mestvirishvili, Maia, Tinatin Zurabishvili, Tamar Iakobidze & Natia Mestvirishvili. 2017. “Exploring Homophobia in Tbilisi, Georgia.” Journal of Homosexuality 64 (9): 1253-1282.
www.tandfonlin...
#2 Korolczuk, Elżbieta. 2023. “Anti-gender Campaigns as a Threat to Liberal Democracy” in Elisa Orofino, and William Allchorn (eds.), Routledge Handbook of Non-Violent Extremism (pp. 347-359). London: Routledge.
#3 Schreiber, Daniel. 2021. "Allein." Berlin: Hanser Berlin.
#4 Khoshtaria, Tamar. 2018. “What are the values of young people and how are these different from the values of older generations in Georgia?” Journal of Beliefs & Values 39 (3): 279-297.
www.tandfonlin...
#5 World Values Survey (WVS). 2010-2014. World Values Survey Wave 6 Official Aggregate. v.20150418.
www.worldvalue...
#6 Reynolds, Daniel. 2019. “And Then We Danced Incited Protests in Georgia
- and an LGBTQ Movement.” The Advocate. www.advocate.c...
Further Readings about the movie:
www.newyorker....
www.npr.org/20...
www.advocate.c...
Videos used:
Great Big Story: Georgian Dancers Push Their Physical Limits for Tradition
• Georgian Dancers Push ...
Vox: How did pink become a girly color?
• How did pink become a ...
Free Europe/Radio Liberty: First LGBT Pride March Held In Georgia Despite Security Concerns Radio
• First LGBT Pride March...
Al Jazeera English: Russian troops still advancing in Georgia - 14 Aug 2008
• Russian troops still a...
Arte TRACKS: Fake News: Die Waffen des Westens: LGBTQ & Reiche Eliten
• Fake News: Die Waffen ...
Song used:
dné - Car

[@gvn1111]

Thank you so much for this video! As a Georgian member of the LGBT community, I can confirm that you have mentioned and explained the problems we have here very well.The mentioning of Ru**ian influence was one of the most important parts. Keep it up, this video deserves more views.

[@drunkonlife.]

thank you so much 🤍

[@veryemerald]

Thank you so much for this video essay. I'm half Georgian half Belarussian and your throrough analysis of the ongoing situation of how Russia weaponises homophobia not only at its own place but in all of the countries around is amazing. I could only wish something changes for better just for a change, but unfourtunately there are no such signs.

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you for your comment!

[@francescamancuso6184]

This video is great! Your storytelling was engaging and I really appreciated how you covered so many interesting topics in a such refreshing and not obvious way The editing was also great Keep up with your work!

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you Francesca :)

[@sercemwksiazkach]

And Then We Danced is my favourite movie. I always try to get other people to watch it, for its gorgeous scenery and beautiful pirtrayal of a young gay man who's just trying to live his life to the fullest. I also adore dancing, and seeing one focused on Georgian traditional dancing? I got hooked. The themes of difficult familial relationships, fighting to get out of poverty, and tradition vs progression were all dealt with respectfully and beautifully. ATWD is a political movie, but done in a tasteful way that also cares about its artistry more than making a statement. It does both and I will always be amazed. And in this video essay you showed that perfectly. It's clear that you've done extensive research, and you explained the context logically and eloquently. It's an amazing video :)

[@drunkonlife.]

thank you for your lovely comment :)

[@monicascheer2107]

​@@drunkonlife.V c .367

[@arielrodriguez968]

I don’t think the movie cares more about artistry than making a statement. I think the artistry IS part of the statement. The beautiful scenery, the traditional dancing, all of it is meant to highlight the complicated relationship that queer Georgians, and queer people in general who come from homophobic countries, can have with their culture. You love it even though it rejects you, does not make space for you. You have no place in it yet it is still a fundamental part of who you are. It’s really bittersweet.

[@sercemwksiazkach]

@@arielrodriguez968 oh you put it beautifully

[@arielrodriguez968]

@@sercemwksiazkach I unfortunately speak from experience as a Mexican 😭 it’s not nearly as bad as Georgia though, and things are starting to change.

[@FaliusAren]

The hybrid of Georgian dance and vogue at the end is INSANE. As someone who's done and seen countless styles of European folk dance, Georgian remains easily the most masculine and patriarchal in my opinion. To cross that over with an inherently feminine, queer, even specifically transgender style with such beautiful choreography made me cry harder than any other part of the film. It's profound

[@drunkonlife.]

well said!

[@saidas505]

This movie is gold. Especially the ending scene, so powerful

[@adao.923]

To me it was also very much a representation of my country since Balkans have similar cultures and values. I hope one day we can show an openly queer movie at the theaters too.

[@asterismos5451]

Just out of curiosity, if you're willing to share, how similar is it? I just got back from travelling in Greece and fortunately had no issues but I was going into it assuming I wouldn't really have any issues, that sure, it's more homophobic than Canada, but I would likely be assumed to be straight and cis and since I wasn't travelling with a partner or doing anything to be too visibly queer it would be fine. So I'm non-binary (afab) and nearly every other kind of queer and have very androgynous hair that I think in Canada gets people to think I'm a lesbian and I dress in casual women's shorts and t-shirts so I'm not terribly butch, really, but not especially straight-looking either. I think in Greece people just assumed I was sort of alternative for my hair or something, like how some straight women have short hair because they're cool and not as an expression of gender or sexuality. Even if my hair is incredibly gay and not like a straight woman's pixie cut. We went to some small towns but they were touristy areas so I imagine the locals are more used to encountering queer people than the average small-town citizens might be. The gayest movie options on the in-flight entertainment was Mamma Mia but I attributed that more to it being Emirates (which I know is one of the most homophobic areas in the world) than due to it being a flight to/from Greece. Basically I don't think I was ever really in a position to experience homophobia, just because it wasn't a very long time and we were in what were more likely slightly more liberal areas of the country and most of our interactions with locals were money-related so they would be inclined to keep them pleasant, but I am curious how the homophobia/transphobia of everyday life compares to Georgia here or more western countries like Canada.

[@lethalprophet]

I would like to congratulate you on putting together a very well-done piece of journalism. So many videos I see on KZbin are narrated by people speaking in robotic monotone with (proper, but unnatural) over-enunciated speech and nothing to lend credence to or confidence in the source of the facts being cited. Not to say these videos are any less legitimate than yours, but I found it extremely refreshing to see a video where 1) the narration was done in a natural speaking voice, and 2) your sources were well-documented, telling me that you had done your research and weren't just parroting things said in other videos or presenting your opinions as facts. It is very rare for me to give a video a thumbs up, but you definitely deserve one for this. I haven't seen any of your other videos, yet. However, I'm looking forward to viewing more of your work, confident that they are as well done as this one. I hope you continue to put out quality content like this. In my opinion, this sets an admirable example of what this type of content should aspire to. If I could offer one suggestion, it would be to minimize cuts/edits, as (and this may be just me) I find it distracting when I'm watching someone speak, and their face suddenly 'glitches' into another position or location. Although I will say that the editing was done in such a manner that the narration did not suffer any because of those edits.

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you for your kind compliments and thoughts on the video! I am def wanting to do more video essays like this in the future but simply don’t have the time to dedicate to KZbin for the next few months. Comments like yours motivate me a lot to continue anyway so thank you 🙏🏽

[@tangytaste3376]

So refreshing, I genuinely love how you approached the topic! Your research and insight into the general context of the movie are incredible. I shall be on the lookout for more of your videos!

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you so much 🙏🏽

[@flfb]

this is such a touching video that really highlights to me - a trans person in a western country - how little i know about eastern european countries, but also how homophobia and transphobia are so ubiquitous that propaganda from both parties involve it. on the other hand; i can't wait to watch this film (and thank you for letting me know about mubi omg)! it looks like something that will break my heart in so many ways. i'm really excited to see what other video essays you make from here. the pacing, the editing, the music, the mise en scène, your soft voice; everything in this just gave a sense of calm to the experience even when you were talking about horrific events. it made me feel safe even though i was hearing about the danger i and my community are in. it's incredible; even though i haven't seen it yet, the clips i saw (that weren't spoilers) gave me the impression that your analysis has a similar tone to the film itself. you really hit it out of the park with this. you should be proud :3

[@drunkonlife.]

this might just be the nicest comment ever 🥲🙏🏽 I really appreciate your kind words and how the video makes you feel comfortable! Let me know if it still compares after you’ve seen the movie! 🤍

[@tatarchai5064]

Hello everyone I am a transmasculine person from Russia. I watched this movie for the first time a year ago with my Georgian friend. She's a lesbian, and we were going through dark times during that period. Even then, queer laws were being passed in Russia and we understood that we needed to leave urgently. We were planning to move to Georgia at that time. It still seemed like a good solution at the time. We watched the movie in the original, a friend translated it all for me. We were inspired by the fact that despite the queer phobia in the society that the film speaks about, there was also a place to show that the community somehow leads its life. We really hoped that it was possible to live more freely and safely in Georgia than in Russia. We saved money, my friend taught me the language.But all our plans collapsed when the Georgian parliament passed queer laws similar to those previously adopted in Russia. Now we have no way out. We both live in constant fear and with a sense of hopelessness.

[@RosaLindeMuziek]

Wow, thank you so much for this video essay. So well said; you are an intelligent and good person. So important this information is shared.

[@drunkonlife.]

thank you so much!

[@ilostmyutubeaccount]

Great job! You actually went really deep into the roots of the problem. Amazing video

[@Yatorine]

This is an amazing video. 1.66k subs is criminal

[@drunkonlife.]

thank you so much 🤍

[@eileenobrien1701]

Your video is beautifully done, and I thank you for it. I am not much of a movie goer, but just read a review of Crossing and in looking for more info about the director it lead me to you. I am a 72 year old American mother of a lesbian, always interested in the concerns of the LGBT+ community. I had occasion to host a woman from Georgia via couchsurfing some years back, which I must confess was when I first learned of the existence of that country. I might just have to see both Crossing and And Then We Danced (which is reminiscent of a book by Philadelphia gay icon Mark Segal entitled And Then I Danced, about his experience as a gay rights pioneer). Thanks again !

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you Eileen I'm glad you enjoyed :) I added the book to my readling list xx

[@FADY-MAALOUF]

Brilliant Analysis 💜 !wow , Horrific customs and traditions, may the new generation eradicate all of these repulsive false values.

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you

[@cakeismycity8582]

Absolutely amazing, this is on my watch list asap

[@austinwatts7016]

I appreciate your video so much because enjoy your POV and evidence and alll dat!

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you Austin!

[@gordonbennett1935]

Watched the movie for the first time last night.Amazing in all respects but the dvd had no in depth 'extras' to enhance the real situation and struggles of LGBTQ in Georgia .Finding this concise well presented vjdeo essay enhanced the viewing experience ,makes me want to revisit it and find out more .It should so much have been snapped up by the film company to add to the worldwide dvd release as a companion piece.Well done everyone involved and look forward to viewing further essays.After stepping away from Pride in Brighton UK this year as it has become no more than a jolly for many young gays who have little time and understanding of real persecution and the violent depths that homophobia can sink to and still exists .I'm all for a party but it is only possible when an individual can have belief and PRIDE in themself,STAND ALONE FROM THE CROWD have and give respect Religion and politics are only there to promote control and fear in the herd..To much said watch the film ...Beauty,Love Dance and have Belief ....................

[@tobiokageyama1152]

this video was beautiful oml, ill def check out the movie!!!

[@ash1eyrose]

Took me a second to realize you were talking about Georgia the country, even though that should have been kind of obvious.

[@paulopheim4224]

But underlying all of this, what role did religious dogma play in the homophobic attitudes? I suspect, that like in the United States it has a huge role.

[@elizabethmalkova1195]

Thank you for such a deep essay and a thorough analysis of the topic with the factual info like article links. This movie inspired me to start taking Georgian dance classes even though before watching it I had a superstition that this dance style is stiff and not prone to any type of freshness and change. As a person who currently lives in Russia and sees all that biased anti-lgbt rhetorics it is a relief to hear the part about them choosing an lgbt community to be a scapegoat to distract the public eye from other types of atrocities they are doing. Such a relief that there are other people who see that manipulation. Your video combined three of my favourite things - Georgian dance and culture, support of human rights and good journalism and got me smiling all 19 minutes 😁 Thank you!

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you for your beautiful comment! Makes me very happy to receive such praise... sending you courage and love! 🤍

[@verukamtl1]

This was really fantastic and insightful! I'm not sure why KZbin recommended it to me but I'm glad it did. I hadn't known about the political and social ramifications for Russia but this makes so much sense. I hope that films like this (which I've watched and loved) will help people to see and understand that LGTBQ+ people are just the same as they are. Thank you so much for making this!

[@drunkonlife.]

Thank you for commenting sometimes we do be glad for the yt algorithm hehe

[@user-hq1yo2ni5k]

Thank you for the video essay! I'm Russian, and I'm studying in the US after spending 2 years of high school in East Africa. Growing up and seeing the unfolding invasion from within the country and then observing from the outside, together with getting more understanding of what is going on, made me more and more worried about my queer friends who stay in Russia. I knew stuff about Russian-Georgian relationship, and I think this video explains it in a way that can be understood by many people who don't know it in detail. Awful things going on, indeed. One day, one day... Thank you very much again! P.S. LOVED the movie

[@drunkonlife.]

thank you for your lovely comment

[@mariammosashvili4150]

This breaks my heart, I fear that soon my beautiful country will dissappear, our culture, our art, our language, it will become Russian adjacent. I feel so powerless sometimes. Films like this matter, representation matters.

[@stefeuphoria6086]

A movie that's 10 times better than the overrated Call Me By Your Name.

[@alinakhanifovna]

thank you so much for this video! i really really love this movie and recommend to watch everybody ❤❤❤ you are absolutely right- this movie is deeply political. I live in a small city in russia and i am pansexual, so i can confirm that what you said about what's happening in my country now and why - it is 100% true. i can't even explain the level of fear we live with, all lgbtq+ organizations are completely illegal (protests are illegal too). you can't even talk about yourself, like you don't exist.. and it applies to many post-Soviet countries, we only pray that this will change one day.. thanks again🫂

[@drunkonlife.]

thank you so much for your comment 🙏🏽 I’m sending you all my love and support 🤍

[@alinakhanifovna]

@@drunkonlife. thank you :)))

[@seaneoia]

asa referencing🔥

[@paulhouston1243]

Good Morning thank you for your review and posting this on The KZbin platform. I host a LGBTQA Movie night once a month in Amsterdam. showcasing films that are not on Netflix and bringing new audiences together. Done this for a few years now. Recently showed this sparked a similar debate like your video essay . This week we show it again as interest was SKY HIGH it’s 2024. Five years later and still a talking point.

[@drunkonlife.]

That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing.. what is the movie night called?

[@paulhouston1243]

The organisation is called Meet up and it’s all all over The Netherlands. Movies Club is the name. ❤

[@mxsthxted]

Hey can i talk to you about this more (and about life in general? thanks :)) in your dms? If you have any ways of being contacted? Cheers.