Dance Me to My Song (1998)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Rolf de Heer

Writers:

Heather Rose (writer)
Frederick Stahl (writer)

Release Date:

22 October 1998 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A love triangle? Depends on you point of view really...

Plot:

A woman (Heather Rose) trapped in a twisted body from her bouts with the debilitating cerebral palsy...

Plot Keywords:

Caretaker | Voice Box | Computer | Cerebral Palsy | Carer

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

John Brumpton	...	Eddie
Danny Cowles	...	Joe
Catherine Fitzgerald	...	Dogface
Susie Fraser	...	Social Worker
Carmel Johnson	...	Temporary Carer
Joey Kennedy	...	Madelaine
Phil MacPherson	...	Trev
Rena Owen	...	Rix
Heather Rose	...	Julia

Also Known As:

Aime-moi telle que je suis (Canada: French title) [fr]
Astu elämääni (Finland) [fi]
Balla la mia canzone (Italy) [it]
Dance Me to My Song (France) [fr]
Dance Me to My Song (Finland) [fi]
Hazme bailar mi canción (Spain) [es]

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Vertigo Productions Pty. Ltd.

Trivia:

The title comes from a poem written by scriptwriter Frederick Stahl. He was a friend of Heather Rose and the poem appeared in an early draft of the script. It reads: "Whatever fate may thrust at me. I'll never be the same. I've had less fear of times to be. Since first I heard your name. I need to feel secure from harm. I will not keep you long. Please hold me tight within your arm. And dance me to my song."

Movie Connections:

Featured in Heather Rose Goes to Cannes (1998)

Soundtrack:

Kizungu

Brave and heartwarming film about cerebral palsy

Rolf de Heer is a brave director, as those who've seen Bad Boy Bubby and The Quiet Room will know. In this film he braves the sensitive subject of cerebral palsy. Julia, a severe sufferer, is bound to her wheeelchair and can only communicate via her voice machine. Her heartless carer Madeline, is downright cruel to her. When the kind and loving Eddie enters Julia's life a strange menage a trois begins, but not quite as you would imagine. The film avoids mawkish sentimentality, and is a tribute to the triumph of the human spirit. Julia's strengths and weaknesses are all on display, as well as her sharp wit. Heather Rose who plays Julia also wrote the screenplay and gives us a unique insight into her world. This new Australian film is a must for anyone who wants to be confronted and amazed by a subject not often tackled on screen.