Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters is a captivating documentary about the iconic choreographer Bill T. Jones and his dance masterpiece, D-Man in the Waters. The movie is directed by Rosalynde LeBlanc and Tom Hurwitz, and produced by Susan Lacy, Paula Vaccaro, and Willa Yudell. It premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Festival and was praised for its poignant portrayal of dance, art, and resilience.
The documentary is a tribute to Jones and the dancers who performed in D-Man in the Waters during the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The film takes us on a journey to the past and present, juxtaposing archival footage of the dance rehearsals and performances with interviews of the surviving dancers and Jones himself. It also features new performances of D-Man in the Waters by a new generation of dancers, directed by Jones, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the new performances.
The movie begins by introducing us to Bill T. Jones, a legendary choreographer who has created over 100 works of dance theater that blend elements of storytelling, movement, and music. Jones is a towering figure in the world of contemporary dance, having won numerous awards throughout his career, including two Tony Awards for Best Choreography. But the movie focuses less on Jones's professional accolades and more on his personal journey as a gay black artist who has lived through some of the darkest moments in recent history.
Jones's life story is intertwined with the story of D-Man in the Waters, a dance piece he created in 1989 with his company, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. The dance was an exuberant celebration of life, resilience, and beauty, set to the music of Mendelssohn and Weill, and inspired by the energy and passion of the dancers who performed it. But it was also a response to the AIDS crisis, which was devastating the gay community at the time. Many of the dancers in the company, including Jones's partner and collaborator, Arnie Zane, were affected by the disease, and some of them died during the making of the dance.
The movie explores the making of D-Man in the Waters, using archival footage and interviews to show the creative process and the emotional impact it had on the dancers and Jones. We see the dancers sweating, laughing, and struggling to keep up with the demanding choreography, while Jones looks on, coaching them, pushing them, and sometimes breaking down in tears. We also hear from the surviving dancers, who reflect on the joy and the pain of performing D-Man in the Waters, and the legacy it has left on their lives and on the world of dance.
As the movie progresses, we see how D-Man in the Waters has continued to inspire and influence dancers around the world. The documentary shows new performances of the dance, directed by Jones and performed by a diverse group of dancers, many of whom had never heard of D-Man in the Waters before. We also see how Jones's choreography has evolved, how he has incorporated new dancers, new music, and new themes into his work, while keeping the spirit of D-Man in the Waters alive.
Throughout the movie, we are reminded of the power of dance and art to transcend time, space, and tragedy. We see how D-Man in the Waters, originally created as a response to a specific moment in history, has become a timeless masterpiece that speaks to people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. We also see how dance can be a form of resistance and healing, a way to express joy and sorrow, rage and hope. And we see how Bill T. Jones, through his visionary artistry and his personal courage, has become an icon of creativity, resilience, and humanity.
Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters is a must-see documentary for anyone who loves dance, art, and history. It is a moving tribute to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and create beauty out of pain. It is also a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the enduring legacy of one of the greatest choreographers of our time.
Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.
