– Spoiler Review –
Like Andor and other projects before it, Studio La Cachette proves Star Wars doesn’t need lightsabers or the Force for an engaging story to be told in their Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2 short, “The Spy Dancer.” Elegant as its main character’s dance routine, its lush world and emotional story could slot right into the larger story without fuss and we’d all be the better for it. Find out why in my review!
On an Imperial-occupied world, the local cabaret is frequented by the stationed troopers, but little do they know the main star of the show, Loi’e, is a rebel spy in their midst, using her elegant and distracting dance to help the Rebellion. As far as concepts go, this is instantly intriguing, putting the efforts of the rank-and-file members of the Rebellion in focus in such a way it shows how every little effort counts and heroes can come in all shapes, sizes, and professions. Studio La Cachette manages to mix the fantastical with the historical, as this concept owes inspiration from the efforts of the French Resistance, using cabarets like Moulin Rouge to gather information for the Allies during World War II, so the story is both personal to the team and their country’s history, but also fits right in with the Rebellion and Empire conflict of the Saga. In fact, whereas other shorts are in their own take on the Galaxy Far, Far Away, “The Spy Dancer” could effortlessly, just like Loi’e, fit in the larger tapestry of canon with its tale and small stakes. This doesn’t make it any better than any other short, but it does show how well Studio La Cachette captured the look of the Saga and the feel of its story of oppression and those who would stand against it, all through personalizing it and basing it off history like George Lucas himself did all those years ago.
There’s been a heavier focus on female led stories in Visions Vol. 2, which is something Star Wars has been needing across the board, so it’s been wonderful to see. Even better yet, these stories have often included a mother figure, another place Star Wars is usually short on, preferring the fatherly drama instead. “The Spy Dancer” goes in a different direction than “I Am Your Mother,” but the theme remains, as a mother tries to connect with their child. But wait, who are the mother and the child!? As Loi’e is performing her opening dance, a mysterious Imperial officer sits in the box seats to watch, and his appearance, from his cane to the KX-series droid at his shoulder, triggers a horrible memory for her: when an officer came to her village, razing it to the ground, and took her child. She falters in her performance and her friend and co-confidant Hétis gracefully rescues her, making it look like part of the show. Loi’e is shaken and pissed, no longer willing to play this game and be patient, and forces everyone to leave as she goes to confront the officer for what he did all those years ago. When she lands in the box, she pulls up short from killing the officer, as the eye-patch wearing man is far younger than the officer who came to haunt her for life. This confusion allows him a chance to attack and a big brawl begins, Loi’e laying waste to the stormtroopers in the cabaret with some insanely beautiful and impressive moves, while Hétis returns to help her friend before she’s overwhelmed.
Loi’e manages to get the officer up to the rooftop, where she disarms him and reveals the truth to us and to him: that he is her son, taken from her all those years ago! I’m not doing this reveal justice, though I’m getting a little teary eyed just typing about the moment again, as she forces him to confront the reality of who is, hugging him close. Camille Cottin’s voice acting for Loi’e has been excellent throughout “The Spy Dancer,” as you can feel the weight of her undercover efforts and the pain these memories bring her, but she takes it to a whole other level in this scene with her son, she had me crying. Combine it with the beautiful score and gorgeous animation, the sun coming up as they hug, I can’t imagine there were many dry eyes watching this moment. What makes this hit so well, beyond all the above, is both how the scene is approached and how Loi’e broaches the conversation. Loi’e plants the seed instead of trying to tear him away from the Empire, a critical error Darth Vader made when approaching Luke Skywalker, offering her son hope in who he really is, which he hides with his cap and eye-patch, and who he can really be. Will the seed sprout, will he leave the Empire behind or find ways to help his mother? We don’t end the short knowing, nor does Loi’e, but we see him watching what she handed him, which is a holo of him as a baby, and she’s hopeful and renewed in her fight against the Empire, knowing her efforts could help free her son still. Like I said earlier, not only could this short fit within the larger fight against the Empire, a continuation could easily make its way in and canon, or at least those who worry about it, would be more than fine.
The hand drawn animation is dazzling throughout, especially in the beauty of Loi’e’s dance. I totally get how the stormtroopers, even if they weren’t at the end of their shifts and tired, would be distracted and in awe of her routine, as I was in awe of the gracefulness of it. I don’t know if it would’ve been as enchanting if not in Studio La Cachette’s style, as I now can’t imagine seeing this tale any other way. Olivier Deriviere’s score likewise aids in the distracting quality of the performance and, like I mentioned before, helps hug at the heartstrings and give us the feeling of hope in the final scenes. You can even listen to it now on Spotify!
Here are a few other things:
- The Filmmaker Focus extras on Disney+ have been eye-opening time and time again, and the one about “The Spy Dancer” is par for the course, with more details on the real-world inspirations for the story, the animation process, voice acting, the reasoning behind the score, and more. Don’t miss out!
- If I had to compare this, I felt like has some similarities to one of my favorites from Visions Vol. 1 “Lop & Ochō,” as they are both tales about families torn apart by the Empire, the eternal light of hope, and feel like they could easily could be considered part of the larger Saga.
Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2’s “The Spy Dancer” by Studio La Cachette enchants with its surprising and moving tale, lush animation, and fitting score, while I love its potential both in the larger story and what might happen next between these characters.
+ Loi’e’s performance and its real world roots
+ Mother and son moment
+ Dazzlingly animation and moving score
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
STAR WARS VISIONS REVIEWS
Vol. 2: “Sith” | “Screecher’s Reach” | “In the Stars” | “I Am Your Mother” | “Journey to the Dark Head”
Vol. 1: “The Duel” | “Tatooine Rhapsody” | “The Twins” | “The Village Bride” | “The Ninth Jedi” | “TO-B1” | “The Elder” | “Lop & Ochō” | “Akakiri”
Related Material: Art of Star Wars: Visions Vol. 1 (book) | Star Wars: Visions #1 (comic) | Ronin: A Visions Novel (novel)