Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters
Directed by Rosalynde LeBlanc and Tom Hurwitz
CAN YOU BRING IT: BILL T. JONES AND D-MAN IN THE WATERS brings to life the creative process that culminated in choreographer-dancer-director Bill T. Jones’s tour de force ballet D-Man in the Waters, one of the most important works of art to come out of the AIDS crisis. In 1989, D-Man in the Waters gave physical manifestation to the fear, anger, grief, and hope for salvation that the emerging Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company (both partners at the time) felt as they were embattled by the AIDS epidemic. As a group of young dancers in the present re-interpret the work, they deepen their understanding of its power – exploring what is at stake in their own personal lives in order to commit and perform it successfully. Through an extraordinary collage of interviews, archival material, and uniquely powerful cinematography, this lyrical documentary uses the story of this iconic dance to illustrate the power of art and the triumph of the human spirit.
“Critic’s Pick! Passionate and moving… an unusually lively documentary experience.”
“Four stars! A celebration of the process of creation.”
"Goes to the very heart of the vital role art plays in our society during times of social crisis."
“This gripping ode to creativity and to the resiliency of the human spirit… is a definitive ‘must-see’ for every dancer.”
"A kaleidoscopic portrait of an artist that simultaneously taps into the personal and political dimensions that inform the creation of art."
“A dynamic portrait of the function art has in our lives and the transformative impact D-man in the Waters can have on dancers and audiences alike.”
“Fascinating, moving, and precious to behold.”
“It’s a fertile idea, beautifully executed.”
“Lyrical and expertly paced, Can You Bring It feels like the work of a choreographer.”
“A surprisingly emotional look at how a piece forged amid the pain of one era can speak to later eras.”
“An engrossing examination of dance, love, and loss—and the power of art to move through pain.”
Official Selection: DOC NYC, Frameline
Arnie Zane
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Lambertville |
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Silver Spring |
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Cloverdale |
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Amherst |
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Vancouver |
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