“Call Me Dancer” and it’s star, Manish Chauhan, transported us on a magical journey. From the vibrant streets of Mumbai to the stages of New York, the film wove a rich tapestry of the human experience that resonated deeply with the festival’s mission of fostering cultural understanding.
At its core, the film delved into universal themes of perseverance and identity, inviting us to witness the struggles and triumphs that define the human spirit. Through rebellion, passion, family ties, and the forging of unlikely friendships, “Call Me Dancer” elegantly captured the emotional depths that shape our lives. Each frame served as an invitation to engage with the narrative on a profound level, prompting reflection on our own journeys and the diverse cultural experiences that enrich our understanding of the world.
This year’s SummerFest experience seamlessly combined the magic of film, the excitement of a special guest appearance, and a delectable array of food that perfectly complemented the film. We were fortunate to have this event catered by Saffron Indian Cuisine, a locally owned gem. The exceptional array of Indian street food not only tantalized the palate but also paid vibrant homage to the rich cultural narratives depicted in the film and enhanced the overall event.
We would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor – The Helga Marston Foundation and Bernardine Atkins, for recognizing the importance of bringing this film to Greenville.
As an added bonus, we offered a Dance Workshop with the star of the documentary, Manish Chauhan. Thank you to our Dance Workshop Sponsor – The Breakthrough Coach, Jill and Malachi Pancoast for making it possible for upstate dancers to work with Manish.
We warmly invite our audience to engage with us and share their experiences of the film and the reception on social media.
Call Me Dancer is a 2023 documentary by director and producer Leslie Shampaine.
It is a story of perseverance, passion, culture and an unlikely friendship. This documentary follows Manish Chauhan, a street dancer from Mumbai, whose working-class parents depend on their only son’s financial support. When he accidentally walks into an inner-city dance school and encounters the brilliant but curmudgeonly 70-year-old Israeli ballet master Yehuda Maor, a hunger develops within him. The ambitious Manish becomes determined to make it as a professional dancer, but the odds are stacked against him. Together, Manish and Yehuda transform each other’s lives, searching to uncover who and what they are. Yehuda seeks purpose and a place to call home. Manish dreams of dancing on the world stage but struggles to break free from the confines of his economic and social circumstances.
Audience Award, Documentary – Berkshire International Film Festival
Excellence in Documentary Directing Award – New York Women in Film & Television @ New York Indian Film Festival
Art of Storytelling Award – Doc Edge Film Festival, New Zealand
Audience Award, Feature – Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival
Best Director Award – Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati
Audience Award, Portraits program – Vancouver International Film Festival
Art and Inspiration Award – Hamptons Doc Fest
Audience Award, Best Documentary Feature – Tasveer South Asian Film Festival, Seattle
Audience Favorite Award, San Francisco Dance Film Festival
Young Jury Award, DOKUart Festival, Bjelovar, Croatia
Honorable Mention, Best Documentary, International South Asian Film Festival Canada, Surrey, Canada
“Astonishing…it’s the classic underdog story…touching…lustrous imagery”
–Matthew Carey, Deadline
“Dramatic”
– Elizabeth Zimmer, Village Voice
“Cinematic… It’s the Rocky Balboa story”
– Jay Sean – British Pop Legend
“Compelling tale of perseverance, passion and friendship”
– Celia Ipiotis, Eye on the Arts
“Dance is an art form, and this movie is simply pure art!”
– Yoni Avital, Intl Director, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company
This program is funded in part by the Metropolitan arts Council which receives support by the City of Greenville, BMW Manufacturing Company, SEW Eurodrive, the South Carolina Arts Commission, and many other sources.
