In-I in Motion review – Juliette Binoche pulls back the curtain on dance duet with Akram Khan

Juliette Binoche, the acclaimed French actress celebrated for her Oscar-winning role in "The English Patient" (1996) and numerous other critically lauded performances, makes her directorial debut with "In-I in Motion." This documentary offers an intimate and unguarded glimpse into the genesis of her 2008 dance-theatre collaboration with the internationally renowned British dancer and choreographer Akram Khan. The piece itself, a love story titled "In-I," premiered in London in September 2008, receiving a spectrum of critical responses. For Binoche, "In-I" represented a significant departure from her established acting career, as she had no prior professional dance experience, a fact that underscores the raw vulnerability captured in this new film.

"In-I in Motion" is structured into two distinct parts. The latter half culminates in a live performance of "In-I" before an audience, featuring a striking stage design by the celebrated artist Anish Kapoor, characterized by a vast, intensely red screen. However, it is the first half of the documentary that the review highlights as particularly compelling. This section adopts a fly-on-the-wall approach, meticulously documenting the months of intensive studio work and creative exploration that preceded the performance. During this period, Binoche and Khan engaged with acting coach Susan Batson, whose unvarnished feedback, including the memorable and forceful "THIS IS FULL OF SHIT!", exemplifies the rigorous and often emotionally charged nature of their artistic endeavor. While the review acknowledges that such intense introspection into the creative struggle might verge on "theatrical cringe" for some viewers, it ultimately praises the film for its depiction of the "pure intensity and focus" of the artists. The documentary is described as an "unexpectedly fascinating" study, showcasing two world-famous performers deliberately stepping outside their established comfort zones, exposing their vulnerabilities, and pushing their artistic boundaries. "In-I in Motion" thus serves as a testament to the dedication, rigorous effort, and profound collaborative journey involved in bringing a complex artistic vision to fruition, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of acting and dance.