Watched at the Imaginative Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, “Fancy Dance,” directed by Erica Tremblay, delivers a compelling narrative centered around native land, language, and community. The film beautifully portrays these themes through the intricate relationship between an aunt and her niece.
The movie takes its time establishing the atmosphere and tone, gradually immersing the audience in its world. While the middle section experiences a slight dip in momentum, momentarily losing some of its grip on audience engagement, “Fancy Dance” powerfully recovers in its final act. This resurgence culminates in a moving and emotionally resonant ending that effectively concludes the poignant relationship between the aunt and niece.
Erica Tremblay’s direction, paired with Carolina Costa’s cinematography, is instrumental in conveying the nuanced emotions of the characters. Their combined efforts in visual storytelling, directing techniques, and camera movements effectively communicate the inner feelings of each character.
Two specific shots stand out for their impactful visual language. One is an “inside the frame” shot of Jax (portrayed by Lily Gladstone) during a phone call, framed by a window. This shot cleverly uses the narrow window frame to visually represent Jax’s nervousness and feeling of being trapped.
Another notable shot occurs during a tense scene where a secret is revealed. Tremblay and Costa utilize a wall corner to create a visual dividing line, separating the two characters on opposing sides. This visual partition effectively symbolizes the rift forming in their relationship, reminiscent of Bong Joon Ho’s masterful use of lines for character separation in “Parasite” (2019).
Lily Gladstone’s performance as Jax is captivating. She embodies a character who appears hardened and burdened by worries, yet possesses a deep caring nature and serves as a significant influence, particularly for her niece. This role further solidifies Gladstone’s prominence, especially following her acclaimed performance in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023).
Isabel Deroy-Olson, in her feature film debut, introduces us to the innocent niece whose mother is missing. Her portrayal of a hopeful daughter navigating complex emotions is remarkable for a first-time feature film actress. Deroy-Olson’s ability to evoke a range of emotions resonated deeply with the audience throughout the film.
“Fancy Dance” concludes with a powerful closing credits song featuring poignant lyrics that reflect on lives lost and finding peace. The lyrics, “Let’s put our minds together and reflect on those who have passed, those who are up the sky, those who are now living peacefully,” serve as a moving reflection on the film’s themes and emotional core.
