The David Dance

The David Dance
Directed byAprill Winney
Written byDon Scimé
Based onThe David Dance
by Don Scimé
Produced byDon Scimé
StarringDon Scimé
Guy Adkins
Antoinette LaVecchia
Jordan Baker
Tonye Patano
CinematographyIan McGlocklin
Edited byErin Druez
Music byMarc Jackson
Production
company
Brave Lad Films
Distributed byRyan Bruce Levey Film Distribution and PR Services
Release dates
  • March 8, 2014 (2014-03-08) (Cinequest Film Festival)[1]
  • October 14, 2016 (2016-10-14) (United States)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The David Dance is a 2014 American drama film, written and produced by Don Scimé and directed by Aprill Winney.[2] It premiered at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival on March 8, 2014. The film stars Scimé as David, the host of a gay radio show in Buffalo, New York, who struggles with self-doubt when his single sister Kate (Antoinette LaVecchia), asks him to be the father figure for her soon-to-be adopted Brazilian child. The cast also includes Guy Adkins (as Chris), Jordan Baker (as June) and Tonye Patano (as Mrs. P.).

The film was released theatrically on October 14, 2016 [3] and on Amazon Prime Video in April 2018. It received the audience award for Best Feature Film at the Tallgrass Film Festival[4][5] and the jury award for Best Feature Film at the Long Island International Film Expo among others.[6] At its screening at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Scott Douglas in Edge Media Network wrote: "Once I reached the end I was overwhelmed with all different kinds of emotions and plenty of tears. Truly one of those movies that gets to the heart and soul of a person. If you have ever felt love of any kind, this movie is for you. 'The David Dance' is the surprise of the LGBT circuit."[7][8][9] Kevin Thomas of Progressive Pulse called the film “A gem of a movie.”[10] Emille Black in Cinema Crazed called the film "a personal and touching family drama. Well crafted with characters the viewers care about." [11] In 2020 the film was listed as one of seven "queer hidden gems"[12] The screenplay is part of the permanent core collection of the Margaret Herrick Library (library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences).[13]

The film is based on Scimé's stage play of the same name, which premiered in New York City at the 2003 New York International Fringe Festival and in 2006 in Washington, DC.[14]

Guy Adkins and Don Scimé in "The David Dance"
  1. ^ Mele, Courtnie. "THE DAVID DANCE Feature Film will have its World Premiere at Cinequest Film Festival, 3/8-11". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  2. ^ Verongos, Helen, "Review: In ‘The David Dance,’ a Gay Man Sheds His Crippling Self-Doubt"The New York Times, October 13, 2016
  3. ^ Murthi, Vikram, "'The David Dance’ Exclusive Trailer & Poster: Local Gay Radio Host Struggles With Self-Acceptance" IndieWire, June 8, 2016
  4. ^ “KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON” “THE DAVID DANCE” Win Tallgrass Film Festival Audience Top Awards" Vimooz, October 22, 2014
  5. ^ Garrett, Bob, "‘The David Dance’ Film Festival Review" Project-Nerd, October 22, 2014
  6. ^ "The David Dance". IMDb.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  7. ^ Douglas, Scott,"The David Dance" Edge Media Network, September 26, 2015
  8. ^ Ryll, Alexander, Essential Opinion: 'The David Dance' Gay Essential
  9. ^ Walker-Dack. Roger, "The David Dance" Queer Guru, June 2, 2015
  10. ^ Thomas, Kevin "Film Festival Favs Finally Find Home at a Theatre Near You" Progressive Pulse
  11. ^ Black, Emilie, "The David Dance" 2016 Cinema Crazed, October 13. 2016
  12. ^ Jimenez, Alex "A Chocolate Box Assortment of Queer Hidden Gems, Throwback Cinema" The Daily Californian, March 24, 2020
  13. ^ Scimé, Don. "THE DAVID DANCE". Catalog.oscars.org. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  14. ^ Wren, Celia, "'David Dance': Snow With Occasional Mush Play Hits Buttons Of Talk Host's Crisis", The Washington Post, May 27, 2006