And Then We Danced (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Merab becomes jealous because Irakli arrives as a talented replacement dancer and quickly earns praise from the choreographer Aleko. Merab, who has trained rigorously for years, feels threatened when Irakli's natural talent and unconventional style cause Merab to be replaced in a performance. The jealousy intensifies as Irakli's masculine dancing style is praised, which contrasts with Merab's more androgynous approach that Aleko criticizes as lacking proper rigor.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Merab is already shown struggling with Aleko's expectations about masculine dancing, setting up his vulnerability to the newcomer.

• merab
• irakli
• jealousy
• dance
• rivalry
• aleko

Mary reveals that the previous male dancer was expelled from the ensemble because he was caught in a sexual relationship with another man. He faced brutal repercussions, was rejected by his family, and ultimately vanished into a life of desperation, resorting to prostitution to survive. This revelation adds tension to Merab's own secret attraction to Irakli and explains the fear surrounding homosexuality in the traditional dance world.

Foreshadowing: This backstory foreshadows the risks Merab faces if his own sexuality is discovered within the conservative dance environment.

• previous dancer
• expelled
• homosexuality
• ensemble
• georgia

Merab's father, who was once part of the ensemble alongside Merab's mother, urges Merab to abandon dancing in favor of education. He believes there is no future in dancing and fears for his son's stability. This pressure is intensified by Aleko's disdain for their family, which stems from a past grievance. The father represents the traditional Georgian view that dancing is not a viable profession, creating conflict between Merab's passion and his family's expectations.

Foreshadowing: The family tension underscores Merab's struggle to pursue his artistic identity against both professional and personal obstacles.

• father
• family
• dancing
• future
• education
• aleko

Their rivalry transforms into a deep bond through early morning practice sessions together, where friendly competition ignites mutual respect. As they spend more time practicing and traveling together, Merab's jealousy evolves into attraction. The turning point occurs during a trip to Mary's father's house, where they share a romantic encounter that shifts their dynamic from rivals to lovers, complicated by Merab's existing relationship with Mary.

Foreshadowing: Their intense practice sessions together create the foundation for their emotional connection to grow.

• merab
• irakli
• romance
• relationship
• rivalry
• practice

After their intimate moment together, Irakli vanishes without explanation, leaving Merab anxious and despondent. He later returns home due to family obligations and reveals he has chosen to give up dancing entirely to support his grieving mother. Irakli's disappearance represents the impossible choice between his authentic self and family expectations in a society that does not accept homosexuality.

Foreshadowing: Earlier warnings about the consequences of being openly gay in Georgian society foreshadow why Irakli feels compelled to retreat.

• irakli
• disappear
• family
• mother
• dancing
• marriage

Feeling desolate and yearning for connection after Irakli's disappearance, Merab encounters a young male prostitute on a bus whose eyes meet his. This leads Merab to a gay bar for a night of exploration and temporary escape from his loneliness. However, another dancer, Luka, witnesses him leaving the bar, creating danger for Merab's secret identity being exposed within the conservative dance community.

Foreshadowing: The scene establishes the risks Merab faces living a double life in a homophobically charged environment.

• gay bar
• prostitute
• loneliness
• exposure
• luka

David, Merab's troubled brother, reveals his injuries after defending Merab's honor, likely related to protecting him from threats or harassment. Following this act of brotherly love, David fully accepts Merab's identity as gay and urges him to leave Georgia to pursue his true potential. This moment marks David's transformation from a delinquent causing problems to a supportive sibling who prioritizes Merab's well-being.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes of David's troublemaking and absence from the family set up this redemption arc.

• david
• brother
• injury
• defend
• support
• gay

Irakli decides to give up dancing and marry his girlfriend to support his grieving mother, as revealed at David's wedding where Merab sees him. This choice represents Irakli's capitulation to societal and family pressure, prioritizing heteronormative expectations over his own desires and his connection with Merab. His decision highlights the oppressive nature of Georgian society that forces queer individuals to hide their true selves.

Foreshadowing: The earlier revelation about the previous dancer's fate foreshadows the impossible situation Irakli faces.

• irakli
• marriage
• mother
• dancing
• georgia
• society

Merab injures his ankle during a rough rehearsal after attempting to impress Irakli with a passionate dance. This injury becomes a setback during the crucial audition period, but he performs despite the pain. The injury symbolizes both the physical and emotional toll of his pursuit of dancing against all obstacles, including his own self-doubt and external pressures.

Foreshadowing: His determination to dance through pain foreshadows his bold final performance despite injury.

• merab
• injury
• audition
• ankle
• dance
• performance

During the audition, Merab performs passionately despite his injury, but is dismissed early by the unimpressed director. In a pivotal moment of defiance, he breaks from traditional choreography and expresses his true self through an androgynous, individualistic style that challenges the rigid norms of Georgian dance. This bold expression catches Aleko's attention and represents Merab's rejection of societal limitations, though he leaves the stage uncertain of his future.

Foreshadowing: His earlier training and the struggles with Aleko about masculinity in dance culminate in this defining moment.

• audition
• performance
• dance
• tradition
• defiance
• self-expression

The ending is bittersweet: Merab faces professional rejection and heartbreak from Irakli's marriage, yet achieves profound self-acceptance. By boldly expressing his true identity through dance, he liberates himself from the constraints of traditional Georgian dance and society. He leaves the stage with a sense of potential rather than defeat, empowered to potentially pursue his art elsewhere in a more accepting environment, following his brother David's urging to leave Georgia.

Foreshadowing: The entire narrative builds toward this moment of Merab choosing authenticity over safety.

• ending
• future
• self-acceptance
• georgia
• dance
• liberation

Mary, Merab's partner and provisional girlfriend, supports him throughout his journey even after discovering his attraction to Irakli. She accompanies him to the audition and encourages him despite his injury. Her support represents unconditional loyalty and possibly acceptance of Merab's true identity, though their relationship remains complicated by his sexuality and emotional connection to Irakli.

Foreshadowing: Mary's earlier revelation about the previous dancer shows she understands the dangers Merab faces.

• mary
• support
• merab
• audition
• relationship

The story is set in contemporary Georgia, where traditional values create an oppressive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. The previous male dancer's brutal fate, expulsion, family rejection, and forced prostitution, demonstrates the severe consequences of being openly gay in Georgian society. Characters like Irakli choose marriage and giving up dancing to avoid this fate, while Merab risks his career and family standing by pursuing his true self.

Foreshadowing: Multiple references to societal homophobia build a consistent threat throughout the narrative.

• homophobia
• georgia
• danger
• society
• lgbtq
• dance ensemble