Cunningham

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1:55

Cunningham

PG

Released Dec 13, 2019

1h 33m

Documentary

Biography

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

The artistic evolution of Merce Cunningham -- from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world's most visionary choreographers.

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Critics Consensus

Cunningham may frustrate viewers hoping for a purer distillation of its subject's work, but it remains a solid tribute to a brilliant talent.

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Kate Erbland

indieWire

Even decades since creation, Cunningham's choreography still stuns... Stripped away from convention and without explanation, it flies, but stuck inside tired modes of storytelling, it only stumbles.

Rated: B-

Mar 26, 2020

Full Review

Danny Leigh

Financial Times

If Kovgan's sharp restagings in subway tunnels and spartan woods are inventive, so too is her handling of archive footage, her subject found in motion inset on screen alongside scribbled notes, as if alive inside a scrapbook.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 18, 2020

Full Review

Debra Craine

Times (UK)

[A] delightful - if occasionally baffling - portrait of one of the most revolutionary creative artists of the 20th century.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 16, 2020

Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

One of the most riveting documentaries I saw in 2019, Cunningham tells the immersive story of Merce Cunningham.

Oct 3, 2022

Full Review

Graeme Tuckett

Stuff.co.nz

Cunningham is maybe one for the fans only, but I was pretty engrossed for most of it.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 22, 2020

Full Review

Yago García

Cinemanía (Spain)

While the lack of context is irksome (there are no mentions of Balanchine, Martha Graham or Twyla Tharp), the film also works as a portrait of two unique personalities. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 12, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Member

It was okay. Some beautiful vision scenes but eventually I lost interest.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Its my first introduction to Cunningham and I like it. Beautiful movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

el rolfador

Very compelling especially for people with a special interest in Dance and ours. Even if you’re not a dance aficionado, it’s visually arresting and portrays a very different kind of genius.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/20

Full Review

vicki M

Incredible filming and light and nature. Art at its best. Exquisite dancers and interesting history of Merce. Very engaging.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/20

Full Review

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Alla Kovgan

Director

Carolyn Brown

Self

John Cage

Self

Ashley Chen

Self

Brandon Collwes

Self

Dylan Crossman

Self

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Cunningham: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The artistic evolution of Merce Cunningham -- from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world's most visionary choreographers.

Director: Alla Kovgan
Producer: Helge Albers, Ilann Girard, Elizabeth Delude-Dix, Kelly Gilpatrick, Alla Kovgan, Derrick Tseng
Screenwriter: Alla Kovgan
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Achtung Panda! Media, Doco Digital, Arsam International, Bord Cadre Films
Rating: PG (Some Smoking)
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 13, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $265.0K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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