REVIEWS AND COMMENTS

• “Dance critic and historian Marilyn Hunt has been working on this film for years, and her brilliantly clear and telling film passages of the dances and their physical and cultural contexts have been beautifully shaped by the editing of Girish Bhargava, already well known to dance-film fans for his work at WNET and on ‘Dance in America.’ As Garcia explains patiently in the film, every step, every color and symbol and carpentered corner on the handsticks and headdresses, means something related to blessings by and to the natural world. Furthermore, ... these are not intended primarily as entertainment: they are prayers, and they require complete sincerity—that is, ‘dancing from the heart.’ (Mindy Aloff, “Letter from New York," danceviewtimes.com, winter 2005.)

• “[‘Dancing’] is certainly one of my favorites [in the 2004 Santa Fe Film Festival].... [Garcia’s] narration is the perfect accompaniment to the visuals and it adds legitimacy to the film that a ‘professional’ narrator would lack. Not just a story about dance, it is an intimate look at the culture of the pueblo. It speaks eloquently about their beliefs, heritage, language, etc. ... It should move you.” (Bob Bobwan, review, Rio Grande Sun, Espanola, NM, Nov. 25, 2004.)

• “Marilyn Hunt struck gold with her film Dancing from the Heart. [It] gives a rare and intimate look at pueblo traditions, changing lifestyles, alcoholism and dancing. A lot of great dancing. ...the film camera work ... is phenomenal. Combined with her directorial skills, the movie flows well and captures the topic perfectly.” (Bob Braiden, review, Rio Grande Sun, Espanola, NM, Nov. 25, 2004.)
• "We especially admire DANCING FROM THE HEART's compelling documentation of the importance of dance within Native American cultures through the voices of younger generations who continue celebrating what has come before by finding and securing the expressive power, rejuvenation and beauty that is found in traditional dance." (Thomas Ethan Harris, Director Of Programming, Palm Springs Festival of Native Film and Culture)
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• “These films [such as “Dancing from the Heart”] suggest experimental freedom in our rigid visual world.” (Veszprem TV, Balatonfured Festival, Hungary.)
• "Another very nice doc about Native culture. There's a pattern starting. The docs revolving around Native people are always strong. Always. Coincidence? Who knows. Three generations of a family of dancers, led by Andrew Garcia. I defy you to find a more honest man on film talking about his past struggles and his subsequent triumphs. Very inspiring stuff." New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase, Albuquerque  (Musings of  the Dreadlocked Flaneur, 5/22/06, www.genegrant.com/blog/index.php?p=148)

• “Also worthy of attention was ... the 47-minute documentary Dancing from the Heart, produced and directed by Marilyn Hunt, which portrays the life and work of Andy Garcia of San Juan Pueblo and the youth dance group he leads, the Tewa Dancers from the North.” (Native Peoples Magazine, March/April 2005.)

• “Here’s another chance to see the darling of last year’s [2004] Santa Fe Film Festival, an intimate look at northern Pueblo culture, substance-abuse issues and transformation through the sacred medium of dance.” (“The Screener,” Santa Fe Reporter, August 3-9, 2005.)

• “You have done a beautiful piece of work, I learned from it, and I hope it gets wide distribution so that others can learn. Congratulations.” (Tony Hillerman)

• “Thanks so much for sending me your package and DVD - it’s great stuff. I really enjoyed following one family - and an amazing family at that. Spiritually and physically, they are beautiful people. It’s funny how the dancing pulls you into its own reality once the film gains pace.” (James Redford, producer)

• “The film is a blessing! The film is a blessing!” (Canadian visitor at Santa Fe Film Festival.)

• “Those minutes spent watching Dancing from the Heart were some of the most moving I can remember. ... [it] enriched our lives.” (E-mail from Sarah Hammond, audience member.)
• Note from audience member to Andrew Garcia: "You are a soul with a body... Not a body with a soul. Thank you for sharing your story. It was beautiful and inspiring." (Kim, in New Jersey)

• “I’m grateful you persevered in service to this vision!” (Viewer)

• “... Marilyn Hunt’s stirring profile of the charismatic leader behind a traditional San Juan Pueblo dance troupe...” (“By Popular Demand” series press release, Santa Fe Film Festival, New Mexico)

• “... an exploration by Marilyn Hunt of the importance of dance in the Pueblo Indian culture...” (New York Times, listing for Dance on Camera Festival, Jan. 21, 2005)
• "'Wopida' (thank you) for your donation to [Oregon State Prison]. ... I too am confident that films such as yours will at least open dialog between Native and non-native peoples. ... It means a lot for the brothers and all incarcerated people to receive recognition from the outside, to know that they are not invisible, that people are concerned. " (Letter from volunteer for Native people in the Oregon State Prison)

 COMMENTS FROM EDUCATORS

• “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the youth interns and the ‘general public’ audience to meet you and Andrew and watch this important film.” (Patricia Decker, Theater Programs Manager, Explora Children’s Museum, Albuquerque, NM)

• “... your marvelous [2004 version] documentary on Andy Garcia and his Tewa dancers. While it certainly will be of great interest to a large public audience, it occurred to me that it would make a marvelous training film for counselors as well as a therapeutic experience for patients seeking rehabilitation. There is so much hope and beauty in [Andrew Garcia’s] work.” (Dr. David A. Bennahum, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Family & Community Medicine and Law, Senior Bioethics Consultant, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center)

• “Offers very personal insight into the people of the San Juan Pueblo, their traditional dances, costumes, and beliefs.” (Juror comment, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival; endorsed and recommended for ages 12-18)

• “Thank you for bringing your knowledge of the Indians into our classroom. The film [dance excerpts] and dancing demonstration are wonderful examples of the Indian spirit. With you, we celebrate their heritage and plan to add this to our curriculum. Many thanks, The Red Room” (Pre-kindergarten, The Acorn School, New York City)

• “The film is going to show people that you can turn your life around.” (Andrew Garcia, rehabilitation counselor)
• "Congratulations on a wonderful contribution. It is so difficult to capture dance on film so that you can see the details but also see and feel the sweep of the performance itself. The dancers are impressive from oldest to youngest and Andrew Garcia captured my heart. What an extraordinary man. I envy you knowing him but thank you for giving the rest of us a caring glimpse. ... He is making an enormous difference for this generation which will continue through those to come." (Anya Peterson Royce, Chancellor's Professor of Anthropology, Indiana University)