Review of Mad Hot Ballroom

Introduction

It would appear that ballroom dancing is back in vogue. Strictly Dancing is now in its third series and shows no sign of abating. Riding hot on its coat tails is this documentary from New York City about 5th Graders who learn to dance and express themselves in front of the camera.

It all started in 1994 (two years after Strictly Ballroom became big Box Office) when a ballroom dance programme was introduced to 5th Graders in two New York City public schools. This free programme has now evolved to include 600 children from 60 schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens who are required to take this ten-week course.

Written by Amy Sewell, this Marilyn Agrelo documentary follows three classes as they attempt to learn merengue, rumba, foxtrot, tango and swing dances and compete to win the big trophy (it`s actually taller than a lot of the kids).

Video

The camera work is up close and personal but doesn`t seem too intrusive, even on a crowded dance floor during the Finals. Some nice editing work.

Audio

Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo soundtrack, but you don`t need anything more for this documentary. Some nice contemporary music (C+C Music Factory) in with the traditional music you would associate with this type of dancing. Also have a good variety of subtitles.

Features

None, but you don`t really need anything else.

Conclusion

I`ve never watched Strictly Dancing, although I`ve seen both Strictly Ballroom and Dirty Dancing; the latter being my better half`s favourite film of the 80`s with repeat viewing in our house on VHS. Although I wouldn`t class myself as a hopeless dancer, I also know my best moments came with the two footed shuffle in darkened youth clubs to the likes of Human League and Kim Wilde amongst others. I do, however, have a new found love for documentaries from the time I started writing here and so I didn`t really have any trepidation in viewing this charming film.

What is so good about this film is that over an hour and a half, the youngsters you are watching turn from awkward kids who are forced to dance with a member of the opposite sex into young dancers full of hope and ambition. You live the moment through their eyes, from the despair of defeat to the triumph of the final victory. What makes this more special is when you realise the areas that these children live in and the obstacles they must have overcome to make the transition. These are all poor inner city kids, some very very close to being your stereotypical street kids/thugs/hoodlums (and some of these were boys too…). That they received the love and care that enabled them to rise above all this is a testament to the professionalism of their teachers.

Of the three classes picked as subjects, it quickly became easy to follow two particular schools. I can`t remember the schools, but I became fascinated with the Greens and the Indigos, both classes with some real characters in them. This life affirming film is funny at times, especially in the out of school moments where the children impart their wisdom and experience to the viewer. Some of this is a little sad too, when you hear a couple of the girls describe their ideal boy as one who works hard at school and doesn`t sell drugs. You just wonder how long those expectations will last.

Whilst it is heart breaking to watch one of the teams fall at the first hurdle, it is a powerful moment when you find out which team wins the Final. I laughed, I cried, I punched the air in triumph. Not often a documentary (or a film for that matter) has that effect on me but a group of eleven year olds from NYC did just that.

Astounding and life affirming…