By Rhea Mursalin
Cherubim: Old and New, directed by Irma Duncan (1932) and Lori Belilove (2020), is a unique tribute to the timeless spirit of Isadora Duncan. Featuring archival footage from the 1932 performance and new footage from 2020, the film offers a look into how Duncan’s expressive style continues to resonate across generations.
The original 1932 cast includes Julia Levien, Hortense Kooluris, Sima Leake, Mignon Garland, and Ruth Fletcher. In 2020, Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company revived the piece in the same Walled Garden amphitheater at Untermyer Gardens—paying homage to the dancers and vision that defined modern dance.
The film beautifully illustrates how Duncan’s legacy lives through the language of movement. Whether through sweeping gestures or quiet stillness, the performances convey deep emotional truth. Cherubim: Old and New inspires new generations to see dance not only as performance—but as philosophy.
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
Rhea Mursalin is a recent graduate from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where she earned a B.A. in Communications.
