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

The actor makes her directing debut with a raw, fascinating film about her 2008 collaboration with the British dancer In the way that wedding rehearsals can be more emotional than the big day – all the untidy feelings that will be tucked away for the cameras still on show – this documentary from Juliette Binoche feels raw and unguarded.

It goes behind the scenes of Binoche’s collaboration with British dancer Akram Khan; their dance-theatre piece, a love story entitled In-I, premiered in London to mixed reviews in 2008.

Now, all these years later, Binoche makes her directing debut with a film that is essentially a study of their artistic process.

And it’s unexpectedly fascinating, watching two world-famous performers pushing themselves outside their comfort zones, exposed and vulnerable – particularly Binoche, who had never danced professionally before.

In-I in Motion is a film of two halves, ending with a performance on stage in front of an audience, the set designed by artist Anish Kapoor: a vast screen in murderous red.

The first half is more interesting, shot fly-on-the-wall style during the months it took to create the piece in a studio.

Binoche and Khan work with acting coach Susan Batson, who at one point thunders: “THIS IS FULL OF SHIT! ” (never mind La Binoche’s Oscar).

For some audiences, it will have a whiff of theatrical cringe; the endless stewing and fretting over how to achieve something truthful is ripe for spoof. But the pure intensity and focus is thrilling to watch.

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