Mad Hot Ballroom

Aroview: A fetching and occasionally poignant documentary which follows the efforts of pre-teenage students from three multiracial NYC elementary schools to compete in a city ballroom dancing contest.

While examining the ideals which bind such quests for school-teachers and students, this also touches on issues of race, sexuality, gender and the meaning of 'success' in such a context. Of course, the dancing in itself is impressive, amusing and finally quite exhilarating, and while one might wish for fuller portraits of the childrens' lives (as with SPELLBOUND), this rides the emotions of its subjects into some enlightening territory.

NZ International Film Festival 2005

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