Even for those who know little about dance, Merce Cunningham is a recognizable name — an iconic figure in his field. His mid-20th century collaborations with composer John Cage (his lifelong partner) and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg were central to an era of transformation.

CUNNINGHAM traces Merce’s artistic evolution over three decades of risk and discovery (1944-1972), from his early years as a struggling dancer in postwar New York to his emergence as one of the world’s most visionary choreographers.

Gorgeously shot performances of landmark works from the Cunningham repertoire are interlaced with archival footage of Cunningham speaking and moving. We also hear illuminating interviews with Cage, Rauschenberg and dancers. Cunningham brings us closer to these works than any audience has ever been before.

A breathtaking explosion of dance, music, and never-before-seen archival material, CUNNINGHAM is a timely tribute to one of the world’s greatest modern dance artists.