Cunningham

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1:55

Cunningham

PG

2019

1h 33m

Documentary

Biography

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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.

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

03/26/2020

B-

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.

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

03/18/2020

4/5

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.

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Debra Craine

The Times (UK)

03/16/2020

4/5

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

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Michael Cuby

them.

10/03/2022

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

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

10/22/2020

4/5

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

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Yago García

Cinemanía (Spain)

10/12/2020

3.5/5

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]

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Gina W

@RT47387387 10/06/2020

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

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02/09/2020

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

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el rolfador

01/31/2020

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.

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vicki M

01/11/2020

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

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Alla Kovgan

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Self

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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: Doco Digital, Bord Cadre Films, Achtung Panda! Media, Arsam International
Rating: PG (Some Smoking)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
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)