The engaging, richly textured drama FALL TO RISE follows a renowned principal dancer whose injury forces her out of her company and uncomfortably into the role of motherhood. She realizes that her identity depends on dance and struggles to return with the help of another former company dancer. With its star turns by Martha Graham Principal Dancer Katherine Crockett (featured in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and the acclaimed actress Daphne Rubin-Vega, this is a timeless tale with a distinctly New York flavor, revealing the conflict between art and life, between marriage and independence.
OFFICIAL SELECTION of 13 fests and counting including Dance Film Association and Film Society of Lincoln Center’s DANCE ON CAMERA
WINNER “Best Feature” On Location:Memphis International Music and Film Festival
WINNER Director Jayce Bartok “Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Filmmaker Award”
WINNER Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF) Spirit of Independents Award
“FALL TO RISE is a heart filling drama about the outstanding dedication of dancers to their art. Director Jayce Bartok beautifully captured the emotional difficulties of dancers coming to terms with age and identity.” – Robert Redford
“Daphne Rubin-Vega gives a performance that’s raw, real, funny, passionate, and full of aching humanity.”
Michael Musto – OUT/ADVOCATE
“These universal themes and ideas are what makes the film successful on a base level, but the performances are what elevate it. Rubin-Vega’s Sheila is of particular note, as she shows an impressive range throughout.” 3 1/2 STARS – FILM THREAT
“Remarkable, convincing, very physical lead performances by Daphne Rubin-Vega and Martha Graham dancer Katherine Crockett.” John Beifuss – MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL