Eni has danced all her life – with her husband, with friends, with the joy of rhythm. But after the death of her partner, everything changes. Suddenly she is alone on the dance floor, and the gap left by his absence is not only felt physically. To counteract her loneliness, she hires a “taxi dancer” – young men who dance with older women in exchange for money, giving them a sense of closeness and attention for a few hours. But what initially sounds like an arrangement for the dance floor raises deeper questions: about love, companionship, social expectations and the role of older women in a world that often only looks at youth. Documentary filmmaker Kelly Cristina Spinelli follows her mother and other women who are seeking new forms of intimacy in this way. A PARTNER TO CALL MY OWN is an intimate reflection on loneliness, self-determination and the complex social dynamics surrounding this phenomenon. The film delves into the world of taxi dancers, revealing both the yearning and strength of women who reclaim a piece of their zest for life through this unusual practice. The film was presented at various festivals, including the São Paulo International Film Festival, where it was praised for its empathetic approach. The critical yet warm-hearted examination of age, privilege and social expectations has earned it international attention.
Five women who go out with so-called "personal dancers" to discuss loneliness, sexuality and privilege among senior women.
Eni has danced all her life – with her husband, with friends, with the joy of rhythm. But after the death of her partner, everything changes. Suddenly she is alone on the dance floor, and the gap left by his absence is not only felt physically. To counteract her loneliness, she hires a “taxi dancer” – young men who dance with older women in exchange for money, giving them a sense of closeness and attention for a few hours. But what initially sounds like an arrangement for the dance floor raises deeper questions: about love, companionship, social expectations and the role of older women in a world that often only looks at youth.
Documentary filmmaker Kelly Cristina Spinelli follows her mother and other women who are seeking new forms of intimacy in this way. A PARTNER TO CALL MY OWN is an intimate reflection on loneliness, self-determination and the complex social dynamics surrounding this phenomenon. The film delves into the world of taxi dancers, revealing both the yearning and strength of women who reclaim a piece of their zest for life through this unusual practice.
The film was presented at various festivals, including the São Paulo International Film Festival, where it was praised for its empathetic approach. The critical yet warm-hearted examination of age, privilege and social expectations has earned it international attention.