Alive and Kicking (1996)
A tender, defiant British drama about love, dance, and the fierce will to live in the shadow of illness.
Alive and Kicking - Movie Information
- Original Title: Alive and Kicking
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Nancy Meckler
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 8, 1996 (United Kingdom), July 25, 1997 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Indian Summer (UK), La rage de vivre (FR), Alive & Kicking - Jetzt erst recht! (DE)
- Production Companies: Channel 4 Television, Martin Pope Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Alive and Kicking - Plot
A passionately committed young dancer is forced to re-examine his career and life when faced with death, finding hope through an older man who becomes his lover, mentor and companion.
Alive and Kicking - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the story unfold:
Love is the ultimate kick!
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Alive and Kicking - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nancy Meckler
Main Cast
- Jason Flemyng
- Antony Sher
- Dorothy Tutin
- Anthony Higgins
- Bill Nighy
- Philip Voss
- Diane Parish
- Aiden Waters
- Natalie Roles
- Frederick Stuart
Writers
- Martin Sherman
Producers
- Martin Pope
Alive and Kicking - FAQs
Who plays the lead roles in Alive and Kicking?
Jason Flemyng stars as Tonio, a passionate young dancer, alongside Antony Sher as Jack, the older man who becomes his lover and mentor. The supporting cast includes Dorothy Tutin, Bill Nighy, Anthony Higgins, and Diane Parish, among others.
What is Alive and Kicking about?
Alive and Kicking follows Tonio, a fiercely dedicated young dancer confronting his own mortality. When he meets Jack, an older man, an unexpected relationship blossoms — one built on love, mentorship, and the will to embrace life fully despite the shadow of illness and loss.
Does Alive and Kicking explore HIV and AIDS themes?
Yes. The film is set within a London dance community deeply affected by the AIDS crisis. Tonio is HIV-positive, and the story examines how he and those around him navigate grief, denial, and the fierce desire to keep living and creating art in the face of a devastating epidemic.
How does dance function as a theme in the film?
Dance in Alive and Kicking is both Tonio's identity and his act of defiance. It represents his refusal to surrender to illness or despair. The film uses choreography and performance as an emotional language, expressing what words cannot — desire, grief, joy, and the raw urgency of being alive.
When was Alive and Kicking released?
Alive and Kicking was first released on November 8, 1996, in the United Kingdom. It received its United States release on July 25, 1997. The film is also known by the alternative titles Indian Summer (UK), La rage de vivre (FR), and Alive & Kicking - Jetzt erst recht! (DE).
Who directed Alive and Kicking?
Alive and Kicking was directed by Nancy Meckler, a distinguished theatre and film director known for her work with Shared Experience theatre company. The screenplay was written by Martin Sherman, the celebrated playwright behind Bent, lending the film a sharp emotional and political intelligence.
What genre is Alive and Kicking?
Alive and Kicking is a British comedy-drama. While it handles weighty subjects — illness, mortality, and identity — with genuine emotional depth, it balances these themes with warmth, wit, and moments of real tenderness, making it an affecting rather than purely harrowing viewing experience.
What are similar films to Alive and Kicking?
Viewers who enjoy Alive and Kicking may also appreciate films exploring love, loss, and resilience such as Rocco and His Brothers (1960), Happiness (1965), and Shock Corridor (1963). For contemporary picks, The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) and Monsieur Aznavour (2024) offer similarly rich character-driven storytelling.
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