The film's central performance, by Levan Gelbakhiani, is extraordinary. He's a gorgeous dancer, but he's also completely, totally lovable, and he communicates how in love he is perfectly. It's a stunning, beautiful performance. I adored him from the film's first few minutes, and I felt instantly protective of him.
I also really loved the way Gelbakhiani's character figures his sexuality out, which is not something he has been hiding throughout the film but something he instead discovers as the film progresses. He actually seems not to understand about homophobia and the dangers his desires present him. There's this gorgeous moment where he hugs his girlfriend and cries and says Forgive me. I didn't understand. It's an extraordinary thing to say, and it's a scene that for me makes And Then We Danced special.
The soundtrack is great, too. There are two beautiful sequences of Georgian choral music, and of course a lot of great dance music, as well as some excellent pop songs at perfect moments – Robyn's "Come Get Your Honey" is used exquisitely.
And I loved the ending of this film, which describes a new movement in Georgian dance.
So, this film has lots to recommend it, even though it appears conventional.
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