Life-Enhancing Streaming Advice: Tune into the "Don't Fall, Dance" series for an exhilarating experience
The Dutch-German miniseries "Don't Fall, Dance" is a captivating exploration of life, love, and resilience, based on the autobiographical book Ik val niet, ik dans by Margot van Schayk. The series follows the journey of Emma Maas, a young woman who bravely battles cancer throughout much of her teenage years and into adulthood.
Emma's story is told in the present, with occasional flashbacks to her childhood filled with illness and therapy. The series is a lively celebration of Margot van Schayk's life, focusing on her wit, honesty, eagerness, vulnerability, and curiosity.
Plot:
The series depicts Emma's journey from her cancer diagnosis at age twelve, through the struggles and setbacks of recurring disease, into young adulthood. She pursues her dreams vigorously — studying theater, landing a job as a broadcaster, writing a book, and building a life filled with love and friendship. When her partner Sebastiaan accepts a prestigious job in New York, Emma embraces a new chapter with optimism, marking a combined farewell and wedding celebration.
Themes:
- Life Celebration Despite Illness: The series is not a heavy drama but a lively tribute to Margot van Schayk’s wit, honesty, vulnerability, and curiosity about life even in the face of death.
- Resilience and Vitality: Emma exemplifies fighting spirit and unrelenting zest, embodying a refusal to be defined solely by her disease.
- Humor and Emotional Complexity: It uses humor and vibrant imagery to make the profound emotions and struggles with cancer accessible without diminishing their seriousness.
- Coming of Age under Extraordinary Circumstances: Emma explores relationships, career, and self-identity under the shadow of potentially limited time, giving the story aspects of a coming-of-age or even romantic comedy.
- Impact on Relationships: The show also emphasizes how Emma’s illness affects those around her, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual adversity and community.
The miniseries is praised for handling difficult subjects with nuance and lightness, turning a narrative of illness and farewell into a rich portrait of a fully lived life. It was directed by Simone van Dusseldorp and features vibrant settings including Amsterdam, New York, and Dutch countryside scenes.
Availability:
The series will air back-to-back on ZDFneo on August 5th at 10:30 PM. It will also be available on the ZDF streaming portal starting August 1st.
The series was produced with the intention of capturing heavy topics with lightness, making it about more than just illness and goodbye. Producer Fleur Winters decided to turn the book into a series to avoid a heavy drama and instead create a vibrant celebration of Margot van Schayk's life.
Emma's story offers a deeply personal and uplifting account of living boldly amidst recurring cancer, infused with humor, hope, and emotional depth. Despite her illness, Emma's carefree nature is briefly interrupted by reminders of her past struggles. The series is a fast-paced ride with a lot of information and twists in each episode.
Notably, Emma may not be able to have children due to her treatments. She also experiences fears before cancer check-ups, adding layers of emotional complexity to her character. The series is a testament to Margot van Schayk's spirit and her determination to live life to the fullest, despite the challenges she faced.
Science plays an integral role in Emma's life as she navigates her medical-conditions, particularly cancer, during her teenage years and beyond. Her journey through treatment and recovery is a testament to the transformative power of health-and-wellness, showcasing the resilience and vitality that can arise during tough times.
