Esplanade's annual da:ns festival is returning on Oct 13-23, but before everyone can indulge in powerful performances from around the world, The Projector is partnering up with Esplanade to screen three dance-related films; two of which are focused on the artistic directors of dance companies Batsheva Dance Company and Tanztheatre Wuppertal Pina Bausch, who will be performing at the festival. If you’ve always wanted to catch a dance film that isn't Step Up, Grease, or Dirty Dancing, then check out these three films at Cine:dans.

Mr. Gaga (Sept 2, 8pm)

No, this film has absolutely nothing to do with Lady Gaga. Eight years in the making, Mr. Gaga captures what it’s like to be in the shoes of one of the most prominent and renowned choreographers, Ohad Naharin. He's the artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company and in this film, he travels between Japan, Holland, Sweden and Israel. Through intimate rehearsal footages, extensive unseen archive material and impeccable dance sequences, director Tomer Heymann shows the world of the charming story of an artistic genius who changed the language of modern dance.

Pina (Sept 3, 8pm)

The second film screening at the Projector for Cineda:ns is a tribute by Wim Wenders to the lifelong work of legendary German choreographer, the late Pina Bausch. Back in the 1970s, she was one of few choreographers who had a strong influence in modern dance. Pina explores her life, work and Wuppertal city, and showcases dancers from the Tanztheatre Wuppertal Pina Bausch ensemble performing some of her most notable creations.

Our Last Tango / Un Tango Mas (Sept 4, 7:30pm)

Love, hate, drama, jealousy. If these are themes that gets you riled up, then take Our Last Tango as the dance film equivalent of typical drama blockbusters you fancy so much. The year is 1940 in Bueno Aires—Maria Nieves Rego meets Juan Carlo Copes for the first time, but he barely knows how to dance. Fifty years on, they became the most celebrated tango couple of all time, but not without going through tumultuous periods of love, hate and a number of separations.