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The Spirit Moves

The Spirit Moves

1987 · 119 min · ★ 8.0 · Documentary, Music

A History of Black Social Dance on Film, 1900–1986 is a documentary film by Mura Dehn chronicling the evolution of African-American social dance throughout most of the 20th century. In its original form it consists of nearly six hours of rare archival footage shot over the course of thirty years.

Directed by Mura Dehn

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Provides a colorful portrait of dancer Mura Dehn. Born and trained in Russia, she went to Paris in 1925, met Josephine Baker and discovered jazz. Tells how she came to New York and choreographed jazz tunes. Includes a live interview with Mura Dehn along with archival footage. In the 1930’s, the heart of jazz dancing was Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom. Mura Dehn, a Russian dancer who was converted to jazz dance by Josephine Baker, spent her life documenting this cultural explosion from jazz to be-bop. As excerpts of her film, THE SPIRIT MOVES are shown, she discusses the eras. The film concludes with Dehn, at 82, filming a break-dance troupe. Blue Ribbon winner, American Film Festival.

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