A Chair Fit for an Angel

For almost two hundred years, the Shakers have been America's most successful utopian society. Striving for perfection in everyday life, they became innovators, crafting minimalistic furniture and architectural designs that influenced modern functionalism. The Shakers wrote songs and spiritual hymns of exquisite beauty and danced to the point of ecstasy during their religious meetings. Inspired by this music and dance, choreographer Tero Saarinen created Borrowed Light, a dance piece about communal life and individual sacrifice. Shot in Finland and the United States, featuring excerpts from Borrowed Light and exclusive interviews, "A Chair Fit For An Angel" looks at the cultural legacy of this religious group devoted to creating heaven on earth. (official distributor synopsis)