Since Russia’s army invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, that conflict has destroyed communities, upended families and stolen lives. A new documentary called “When We Dance” examines how elite Russian and Ukrainian ballroom dancers have been ensnared in the turmoil of war. The film’s director, Nick Waters, joined Lisa McRee on “LA Times Today.”

Dance is as much a character in the film as the performers. Waters talked about the decision to place dancing front and center.

“My intent the whole time was to provide a platform for these dancers to share their stories with the world and raise awareness about what is actually going on in Ukraine. So the film takes a very artistic, very simplistic approach to the dance and the stories from the war. It’s a really interesting thing when you see those two, the dancing and these horrible tragic stories, juxtaposed next to each other. It really is an evocative combination,” Waters said. 

Some of the dancers in the film are Russian, and spoke about the disconnect they feel with their family in Russia who consume propaganda about the war. Waters talked about how that disconnect is personal for one couple. 

“There’s a married couple. She’s from Ukraine and he’s from Russia. It’s tragic because his family in Russia is essentially disowning them, saying [they are] under American propaganda and that the truth is that Ukraine is filled with Nazis and Russia is essentially liberating Ukraine. And the couple in the film is saying that’s actually not the truth. This is a horrible war going on, a senseless war. It shows the power the media has over people to shape their worldview. And it’s sad to see a family being ripped apart like that,” Waters explained.

Waters talked about what he hopes audiences take away from his film.

“At the end of the day, we’re all humans. And if there’s any way to connect people again, it is I think through this idea that we share humanity. And this war doesn’t need to be happening to be bringing people apart. So that’s the message I think people can take away from the film and hopefully bring forward as this war progresses, hopefully ending soon,” he said.

You can learn more about the documentary at whenwedancefilm.com.

Watch the full interview above.

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