After a light yet extensive cinematic exploration of the dynamics of love in relationships, through the cycles LOVE: Perdition , LOVE: Salvation, and the latest edition LOVE: Ravishing, screened earlier in January, and the film cycle Love Is Not a Palindrome, shown last weekend, we continue our beautiful quest as Valentine’s Day approaches. Following the cycle Love Is Not a Palindrome, explored last weekend, we now arrive at a moment of celebration: is there anything more beautiful than watching two bodies in perfect harmony, dancing? Or even better, recognizing ourselves in that movement, in that shared language between two beings who find one another?

Dance is, perhaps, the most powerful metaphor for love in motion. Like life as a couple, it demands presence, harmony, and the ability to yield to the other’s rhythm without losing our own. It is in the pursuit of this connection, this seemingly impossible synchronization, that a relationship is built. “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), by David O. Russell, and “La La Land” (2016), by Damien Chazelle, present us with two distinct worlds where dance becomes both a symbol and an expression of the encounter between unique individuals learning to share a single rhythm.

Since ancient times, dance has played a central role in traditions celebrating love and union. In many cultures, dance has been part of wedding rituals, symbolizing the harmony and commitment between the newlyweds. Medieval bridal dances in Europe, as well as African and Asian celebrations, use movement to represent the balance and cooperation essential to a life shared by two. In Ancient Greece, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle emphasized dance as a way to achieve balance between body and soul, an idea that resonates with the search for harmony between two beings in a loving relationship.

Dance, however, is not just a tradition; it is also a tool for transformation. In the field of couples therapy, dance has been used as a powerful means to strengthen relationships. From ballroom dancing, which promotes collaboration and non-verbal communication, to the therapeutic approaches of Gabrielle Roth or Marian Chace, movement is seen as a way to unlock emotions and create new rhythms for coexistence.

In the two selected films, we see how dance transcends physical movement. In “Silver Linings Playbook”, Pat and Tiffany use dance as a space for healing and renewal, proving that love can flourish even amid imperfections. In “La La Land”, Mia and Sebastian offer a choreography of dreams and missed connections, reminding us that love is as much about what we create together as it is about what we inspire in the other, even when paths diverge.

Thus, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day with this cycle, we reflect on the symbolism of dance as a universal language. It represents the search for connection between two unique beings, a choreography where autonomy and connection coexist. Because to love, ultimately, is this: to step into the rhythm of the other without losing our own, creating together a unique and unforgettable melody.

(Curatorship of Alexandre Braga)