Fancy Dance (2023 film)

Last updated

Fancy Dance
Directed by Erica Tremblay
Screenplay by
  • Erica Tremblay
  • Miciana Alise
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCarolina Costa
Edited byRobert Grigsby Wilson
Music by Samantha Crain
Production
companies
Distributed by Apple Original Films (through Apple TV+)
Release dates
  • January 20, 2023 (2023-01-20)(Sundance)
  • June 21, 2024 (2024-06-21)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
Languages

Fancy Dance is a 2023 American drama film directed by Erica Tremblay in her feature narrative directorial debut, from a screenplay by Tremblay and Miciana Alise. It stars Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson and Shea Whigham.

Contents

It premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in a limited release on June 21, 2024, prior to streaming on Apple TV+ on June 28, 2024.

Plot

Since her sister's disappearance, Jax has cared for her niece Roki on the Seneca–Cayuga Nation Reservation. Every spare minute goes into finding her missing sister while also helping Roki prepare for an upcoming powwow. At the risk of losing custody to Jax's father, Frank, the pair hit the road to track down Roki's mother in time for the powwow.

Cast

Production

In December 2020, the screenplay of Fancy Dance was selected as one of The Indigenous List, initiated by The Black List, IllumiNative and Sundance Institute to spotlight the work of Native American writers. [1] In May 2022, the screenplay also was featured in the Cannes Screenplay List. [2]

In August 2022, it was announced that Erica Tremblay would direct the film with Confluential Films set to produce. [3] The principal photography took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma and began in August 2022. [4]

Release

Fancy Dance had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, on January 20, 2023. [5] Cercamon acquired its worldwide sales rights on February 16, 2023. [6] It also screened at the 2023 South by Southwest. [7] It also screened at the 2023 NewFest, where it held its New York City Premiere. [8] In February 2024, Apple TV+ acquired distribution rights to the film with plans to release it later in the year. [9] It is scheduled to be released in a limited release on June 21, 2024, prior to streaming on Apple TV+ on June 28, 2024. [10]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 97% of 36 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's consensus reads, "An urgent drama grounded in its observant depiction of reservation life, Fancy Dance establishes director/co-writer Erica Tremblay as a rising filmmaking talent". [11]

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References

  1. Ramos, Dino-Ray (December 8, 2020). "The Black List, IllumiNative And Sundance Institute Unveils Inaugural Indigenous List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  2. Goodfellow, Melanie (May 19, 2022). "Mubi, Wscripted unveil second female-focused Cannes Screenplay List (exclusive)". Screen Daily . Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  3. Complex, Valerie (August 16, 2022). "Erica Tremblay's 'Fancy Dance' Starring Lily Gladstone Underway From Confluential Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  4. Tramel, Jimmie (September 18, 2022). "'Fancy Dance' film includes creatives with ties to 'Reservation Dogs,' 'Killers of the Flower Moon'". Tulsa World . Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  5. D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 7, 2022). "Sundance Film Festival Lineup Set With Ukraine War, Little Richard, Michael J. Fox, Judy Blume Docs; Pics With Anne Hathaway, Emilia Clarke, Jonathan Majors; More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  6. Vourlias, Christopher (February 16, 2023). "Cercamon Takes World Rights to Indigenous Drama 'Fancy Dance,' Starring Lily Gladstone (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  7. D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 1, 2023). "SXSW Second Wave Includes UAR's 'Bottoms', Donald Glover's 'Swarm' Series, Michelle Yeoh's 'American Born Chinese' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  8. "FANCY DANCE". NewFest. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  9. Complex, Valerie (February 6, 2024). "'Fancy Dance': Apple Original Films Acquires Global Rights To Erica Tremblay's Feature Film Debut Starring Oscar Nominee Lily Gladstone". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  10. Peralta, Diego (April 10, 2024). "Lily Gladstone's 'Fancy Dance' Finally Sets Release Date". Collider . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  11. "Fancy Dance". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved March 15, 2023.