DANCE FOR JOY is an inspiring documentary short film that celebrates the healing movement classes offered by the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Lineage Dance Company to help people with Parkinson’s Disease find freedom, hope and a sense of community through the arts.

Interview with Director/Producer Elizabeth Gracen

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I have had the good fortune to have a long-running collaboration with a non-profit modern dance company for the past ten years. Through my association with this marvelously creative organization, I’ve learned to be a filmmaker and have been allowed to experiment artistically to develop my creative ‘eye’. The Lineage Dance Company is a non-profit organization that brings awareness to other charities and has an overall mission statement to bring art to the masses. The Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena, Ca, hosts many types of performances as well as classes that are open to the public for people with Parkinson’s Disease or people recovering from stroke. DANCE FOR JOY is about their Dancing Through Parkinson’s dance classes.

The film was made to highlight the benefits of dance to help people with Parkinson’s and people in various stages of rehabilitation. This particular class stems from the Dancing Through PD classes that the Mark Morris Dance Company in NY started many years ago. The film is a celebration of the many people associated with these types of programs who believe that there is healing through the arts.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

DANCE FOR JOY is a film that examines a challenging life situation and celebrates the courage and artistry it takes to live life with gusto and determination – no matter the circumstance. The film is touching, sad and jubilant … all at the same time. Inspiring.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

My grandfather had Parkinson’s disease. I never actually knew him when he wasn’t afflicted with it. That is my immediate tie to the project, but the film follows the courageous journey of a lovely woman named Mary Anne Moses as she struggles with her disease and finds a home, a place to be herself and a place she can do what she loves – dance! Her journey is everyone’s journey – finding a place you belong, even in the midst of turmoil and affliction. Mary Anne finds a place to love and be loved. I think we all want that.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I initially filmed a short dance on film that featured Mary Anne Moses and Austin Roy and their enchanting student/teacher relationship told through dance. Only when I started filming behind-the-scenes content did I realize that I actually had a whole different film to make that featured all the ‘players’ in the Dance For Joy Parkinson’s dance program. Now, the dance film I started with is the final chapter of the documentary.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Outside of the filmmaking community and the festival circuit, DANCE FOR JOY has served as an inspiring, informative documentary for people with Parkinson’s and people who are directly affected by someone in their lives who has the disease. As a filmmaker, that is why I started Flapper Films in the first place – to create inspiring, informational, educational content. To have someone come up to me and tell me how much the film means to them – that’s the biggest reward.

The film has just finished a successful run on the film festival circuit. It played at the Newport Beach Film Festival this summer – which was a great honor.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Feedback is always useful. As a filmmaker, you quickly realize that everyone has an opinion. Everyone definitely has an opinion about films!

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

DANCE FOR JOY is uplifting and informational. The more people who see it – the better the chances are that someone will benefit by learning about the Dancing Through Parkinson’s programs all across the United States. That is my hope. So many people need help in this world. Dance, music, and the arts in general provide a safe haven and a chance to express yourself and discover a sense of community. Science has proven the amazing benefits of dance for people with Parkinson’s. A person with PD may have difficulty walking across the room, but when the music starts, they can literally ‘dance’ across the room. It’s fascinating to see and experience, and I hope the film inspires people to seek out these types of programs.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I’m interested in talking to anyone who has an interest in helping other people. That is what this film is for. The film would benefit from a larger audience. Sales agents, buyers, distributors, journalists would be of great benefit.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

My hopes are that DANCE FOR JOY continues to inform people and give them hope that despite their circumstances, they can still live life as fully as possible and find joy in the living. The Arts provide a safe harbor for so many people to relax, rejuvenate, rehabilitate.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I suppose the key question(s) center around how the power of arts can change people’s lives for the better. DANCE FOR JOY highlights and celebrates artists who give back in ways that literally uplifts people in pain and distress within an hour of taking this type of creative movement class. With an aging population who can feel isolated and alone, the Dancing Through Parkinson’s programs demonstrates that the arts can provide a sense of well-being, physical connection between mind and body, and an all important sense of community.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Flapper Films continues to make documentary films, dances on film and narrative content about a variety of subjects. Currently, we are in the final stages of editing a documentary short called MS. MERIWETHER which celebrates the life and career of the lovely Ms. Lee Meriwether – a former Miss America, Catwoman and a television icon who helped shape the world of entertainment in America in the 20th century. Flapper Films is also completing principal photography on a documentary series called GEN Z that taps the wealth of wisdom and passion of today’s youth to ask them about the future of the United States. What do they value? How will they make the world a better place? Out of the mouths of babes…

Interview: April 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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DANCE FOR JOY

Length: 17 min. 51 sec.

Director: Elizabeth Gracen

Producer: Elizabeth Gracen - Flapper Films

About the writer, director and producer:

Elizabeth Gracen is a filmmaker, writer and actress who has worked in close collaboration with the Lineage Dance Company for more than ten years. Together they have created live performances, numerous dance films, narrative short films and documentaries that have played the international film festival circuit. Elizabeth established Flapper Films to create inspirational, education, informational content for multi-generational men and women.

http://www.flapperfilms.com

Elizabeth Gracen - IMDB

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001286/

Key cast: Maryanne Moses, Austin Roy

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Anyone interested in the amazing work that these organizations are doing for people with Parkinson's Disease.

Social Media:

Facebook: @flapperfilms

Twitter: @flapperfilms

Instagram: @flapperfilms

Made in association with: Mark Morris Dance Company, Dancing Through PD & The Lineage Dance Company