Academy-award winning director David Marsh (Man on Wire) takes viewers on 
cinematic journey through the life of literary 
genius Samuel Beckett. DANCE FIRST highlights his lived life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, WWII Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse. But despite all the adulation that came his, way he was a man acutely aware of his own failings. Titled after Beckett’s famous ethos “Dance first, think later,” The film is a sweeping account of the 
life of this 20th-century icon. It focuses on his relationships with the people he loved and who loved him back, but who he felt that he had wronged. Director David Marsh (The Theory of Everything) joins us for a conversation on why he chose to dive 
into the life of a notoriously private man, working with screenwriter Neil Forsyth, their decision to frame the various chapters of Beckett’s life from the perspective of his”mistakes”, using a black and white format in filming the story and finally assembling a terrific cast includes; Fionn O’Shea, Sandrine Bonnaire, Leonie Lojkine, Bronagh Gallagher, Grainne Good, Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, and Aidan Gillen as James Joyce.
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For more go to: magpictures.com/dancefirst
To watch go to: magpictures.com/dancefirst/watch-at-home
August 9th theatrical opening in NYC at the Angelika Film Center and in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Monica Film Center
About the filmmaker – James Marsh is a celebrated writer and director of narrative feature films and documentaries. His global Box Office hit The Theory of Everything won the best British film BAFTA, and Best Actor at the Academy Awards for Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Stephen Hawking. His acclaimed documentary Man on Wire won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, a BAFTA for Best British Film, and an Independent Spirit award. James Marsh is a writer and director of documentary, narrative feature films, scripted TV and commercials. His work has won major film and TV awards including Academy Awards, Emmys and BAFTAs. James is currently in pre-production on ‘Night Boat to Tangier’ based on Kevin Barry’s book, starring Michael Fassbender and Domnhall Gleeson. James has previously worked in Ireland, directing the critically acclaimed, low budget psychological thriller Shadow Dancer.
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Reviews:
“The film can be a treat to look at, shot mostly in glowing, milky black and white. And performances range from sturdy to superlative.” – Danny Leigh, Financial Times
“Byrne gives a thoughtful performance as a successful writer clinging desperately to his own imperative of failure.” – Hugh Barnes, The Arts Desk
“Dance First still takes a profound look across Beckett’s life, but the film takes artistic risks and a fascinating route into his mind. – Stefan Pape, Common Sense Media
“ … A polished black and white film, curious and well-acted although of impossible intent to capture the life of the author of Waiting for Godot.” – Elsa Fernández-Santos