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May 2005
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By Wilson Morales
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At a time when many superficial films are coming out this summer to capture your attention, there's one film that will capture your heart, and that "Mad Hot Ballroom". It's an upbeat tale of young students finding something worth pursing instead of thinking about the environment they live in, which isn't pleasant for some. Directed by Marilyn Agrelo and co-produced by Amy Sewell, the film dwells into the stories of some of the students who participate in the film. This is not a film about depression. It's a film about adolescence against the backdrop of ballroom dancing. It's a heartwarming film, where there are no losers but winners across the board. Definitely a sensational film for the entire family. Set in New York, the documentary focuses on three schools from different areas and different backgrounds. Most of the kids are about 11-12 years old and at a point when puberty starts to come into their lives, but they seem to be focusing on other things. In Tribeca, there are the kids from P.S 150. Most of the kids are from broken homes or divorces, yet have aspirations that are as high as the stars in the sky. P.S 112 is in Bensonhurst, where half of the students are Asians in an area populated by Italians. And finally, there are the kids from P.S 115, which is located in Washington Heights and is filled with Latinos from the Domican Republic. A few years ago, public elementary schools were required to teach ballroom dancing to students and at the end of the course, there would be a contest to see which school can be the best at ballroom dancing. The styles taught were the tango, the foxtrot, the rumba, swing, and the merengue. The film also shows the dedication and caring provided by the teachers, Victoria Malvagno (Bensonhurst), Allison Sheniak and Alex Tchassov (Tribeca) and Yomaira Reynoso and Rodney Lopez (Washington Heights). In the same way that other documentaries such as "Spellbound" and "Hoop Dreams", ŒMad Hot Ballroom chronicles the trials and tribulations that the students go through in preparation for the competition. For some, it's about clicking with the partner and making sure that dance routine goes right. For others, it's about dealing with home issues and not taking it to school. At the same time that we see these kids dance, we see them grow and learn discipline. One girl goes from being unruly to being a leader and learning to co-operate with authority. The beauty in watching this film is that everyone is upbeat from the start. From the director to the teachers to finally the students, everyone seems to have a reason to be the best. For the students who made the finals the year before, they want to return again, and we see the determination in learning the steps over and over again. For others, it's about the joy of making their parents proud of what they've accomplished, whether it's winning or losing. If you haven't read in the papers, then watching the competition is suspenseful, and credit Cinematographer Claudia Rasche-Robinson for capturing the competition at the World Financial Center. Mad Hot Ballroom will involve you from start to finish and leave you appreciating the school system a bit more. |
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