True Films 3.0 - Kevin Kelly

Mad Hot Ballroom
Fifth graders in New York City overcome their natural distaste for the
other gender and learn ballroom dance after school. They are average
kids, with no real desire to dance. But their schools compete for the
grand championship dance-off with all the seriousness of any sport.
Clumsy boys and precocious girls battle their bodies and overcome many
personal hurdles to advance to the final round of tango, foxtrot and
swing. This documentary follows a wide spectrum of kids as they contest.
You hear their individual dreams and troubles. It’s nicely constructed
so the drama of who wins is a nice surprise that pulls you along for the
grand dance.
By Marilyn Agrelo
2005, 120 min.
Available from Amazon
Rent from Netflix
110
With a look that sums
up his “I’m just doing
this because I have to”
attitude, one student
practices a new dance
(above). Other students
proudly show off their
moves in a nearby park.