New film 'Dancing Joy' features dancers worldwide performing to Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'

The new film "Dancing Joy" showcases dance troupes across the world performing to Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9" aka the "Ode to Joy." The film screens at the Cumming Library on Saturday, Nov. 12. (Photo courtesy of Kate Tsubata/DancingJoy)

The iconic final movement of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” is known as the “Ode to Joy.” Based on the poem by Friedrich Schiller, the message is one of peace through unity for humankind, which is why the music is performed at momentous occasions such as the end of the Berlin Wall, and as the anthem of the European Union.

Now, the “Ode to Joy” serves as the backdrop to the new film “Dancing Joy.” The movie showcases dance troupes across the world, all performing to Beethoven’s celebrated symphony. The film has a screening at the Sharon Forks Library on Saturday, Nov. 12. To talk about “Dancing Joy,” the film’s producer Kate Tsubata joined “City Lights” producer Summer Evans via Zoom along with two featured dancers, Jacques Nyungura and Suhasini Muthukrishnan

Interview highlights: