FACETS CINÉMATHÈQUE

August 2011

The Facets Cinémathèque is located at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. in Chicago. For more information on films playing in the Cinémathèque, please call 773-281-4114. To order advance tickets online, visit the TicketWeb website by clicking here.

Chicago Encore
Engagement

JIG

"Superbly crafted... As for the dancing itself, it's nothing short of dazzling"
-Los Angeles Times

"Compelling stuff"
-Guardian UK

"Jig doesn't twist itself into the self-important, exploitative think piece on youth ambition that Spellbound was, but it does convincingly suggest that its subjects are in it for more than sport"
-Slant Magazine

"Gradually envelops the viewer in a heady spirit of intense competition and pure love"
-TwitchFilm

"At once a case study in globalization and a Spellbound of codified movement... This is a Lord of the Dance for thinkers"
-TimeOut Chicago

Irish step dancing, a traditional performance dance most widely known from the "Riverdance" theatrical franchise, receives exuberant treatment in the superbly crafted documentary Jig. Producer-director Sue Bourne (with a strong assist from cinematographer Joe Russell) follows a group of ambitious young hopefuls from the U.S., Europe and Russia as they prepare to compete in the 40th Irish Dancing World Championships, held in Glasgow, Scotland.

This highly involving film deftly captures the unique physical, emotional and financial aspects of diving into competitive Irish dance, with the participants' addictive immersion the overwhelming takeaway. Ten-year-olds such as Northern Ireland's captivating Brogan McCay, Long Island's uber-focused Julia O'Rourke and the "Billy Elliot"-like John Whitehurst from Birmingham, England, are a few of the memorable contestants seen at home and, later, at "The Worlds," where 6,000 competitors vie for 22 championship titles in nail-biting showdowns. Several teen and young adult dancers - most notably rising star Joe Bitter, whose family relocated from California to England so he could train with world-class teacher John Carey - are also intriguingly profiled, as are the various entrants' parents and hard-driving instructors. The female dancers' over-the-top wigs and dresses get their due close-ups as well. As for the dancing itself, it's nothing short of dazzling. (Los Angeles Times)

Directed by Sue Bourne, UK, 2011, 93 mins.

Official site Director interview Los Angeles Times Slant Magazine TwitchFilm

TimeOut Chicago Chicago Tribune

Showtimes:
Fri., Aug. 5 at 7 & 9 pm
Sat.-Sun., Aug. 6-7 at 3, 5, 7 & 9 pm
Mon.-Thurs., Aug. 8-11 at 7 & 9 pm

Tickets:
There will be a special admission fee for this engagement: $15.00
Facets membership privileges for free admission are not eligible for this presentation.

For all Cinémathèque inquiries, contact Charles Coleman at 773.281.9075 or charles@facets.org