Waltz
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War and Peace (1965-1967)
As an epic ought to be, the most classic adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s mammoth work is grand – both in style and scope. One of the film's most famous dancing scenes, and arguably its most romantic one, is Natasha Rostova’s debut at a ball. In this fragment, the young heroine is presented to society and has her first waltz with Prince Andrei at the 1809 New Year’s Eve ball.
Plot: Epic chronicles of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, adapted from Leo Tolstoy's magnum opus.
Twist
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Kidnapping, Caucasian Style (1967)
This Soviet classic really lends itself to toe-tapping; it has a couple of memorable dance moments, one of them being the popular dance school scene. In it, the dance instructor, aka one of the criminal trio, teaches the locals to dance the twist (once banned and then hugely popular on dance floors in the USSR) – but does it humorously. His “special” technique includes stepping on a cigarette on the ground with one foot, the other, and then both feet together.
Plot: Inspired by traditions and culture, a young man takes a trip to the Caucasus only to find himself mixed up in a bride-kidnapping scheme.
Tango
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The Twelve Chairs (1976)
Ostap Bender from The Twelve Chairs is good-looking, quick-witted, and, as we know, relentlessly optimistic. He’s a true conman and ladies’ man. So, it’s not surprising that in between his heists he takes the time to tango with a beautiful lady. Of all dances, tango is often cited as the most emotional and passionate one, though in this scene it’s also violent to an extreme.
Plot: A treasure hunt for diamonds hidden in one of 12 chairs put up for auction after their owner dies; in for the hunt are a middle-aged official, a conman, and a priest.
Breakdance
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Courier (1986)
The ending of Courier is, in fact, a cinematic first: no other Soviet movie had brought a youth subculture – and breakdancing in particular – to the screen before. The dance emerged in NYC's South Bronx during the 1970s and eventually made its way overseas by the mid-1980s, just around the time the film was shot. For the scene, the film’s director invited local dancers, among others, and the soundtrack settled on Rockit by B.T. & The City Slickers.
Plot: A coming-of-age story about a young man who finds himself at a crossroads: he has just finished school and needs to figure out what to do with his life next.
Impromptu
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Family Relations (1981)
Though it flew under the radar for many, the movie Family Relations hit a second wave of popularity not so long ago – all thanks to a dancing scene that was perfectly synced up to the Disco Elysium soundtrack. In the film’s reality, the episode features a sort of dance battle, improvised, energetic, and raw – one that only in-laws can pull off at a wedding party.
Plot: The movie explores the rural-urban divide in the USSR through the story of a simple-hearted woman who comes to a big city to visit her daughter and granddaughter.
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Title image credit: Ardian Lumi (@ardianlumi) via Unsplash
