Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8569 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-20
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 101 minutes

Synopsis
Tango, foxtrot, swing, rumba, and meringue may seem to represent the last vestiges of a dying art to some, but director Marilyn Agrelo proves this is far from true in MAD HOT BALLROOM. Agrelo reveals that the New York City public school system runs a ballroom dance programme for fifth graders, in which these former preserves of the adult world are given a new lease on life by some enthusiastic little characters. The film follows students at three schools in the neighbourhoods of Tribeca, Bensonhurst, and Washington Heights, with Agrelo training her cameras on the kids' lives both inside and outside of the classroom. The students are united by a zeal for the ballroom dancing lessons, which builds over a 10-week period and culminates in a competition to find the school that has produced the best dancers in the city. As the teachers gently cajole their students to learn the intricacies of the various disciplines, Agrelo intersperses classroom footage with the students' musings on life; many of these reveal a remarkable maturity. Gender and race boundaries disappear as focus on the competition consumes the students' energy, and the teachers are brought to tears as they see their prodigies turning into what one teacher touchingly terms 'little ladies and gentlemen'. As the pitter-patter of tiny toes scuttles across the ballroom floor in the competition's final stages, it's impossible not to get swept up in the action. One of Agrelo's cameramen is caught grinning in an affectionate, almost paternal manner as he accidentally wanders into the frame while filming. One of 2005's most uplifting slices of cinema, MAD HOT BALLROOM is a joyous, life-affirming experience.

Customer Reviews

THE BEST FILM EVER !
this is the best film ever ! the kids are so good and cute , ! i love it i watch it everyday !!!

it is really worth seeing , even if you arnt that interested in dancing !

Mad Hot Ballroom
Don't hesitate! if this film is advertised near you, get your butt down there! Even better, buy the dvd, as I have just done. As the lights went up my face was aching from all the smiling I'd done, and by the look of the faces in the theatre, we all felt the same. There was a crowd of people standing longingly by the exit waiting as every credit rolled, every now and then there was another clip and no one wanted to miss them.
Yes, it sounds like we were a bunch of sad sacks, but we weren't. watch it and enhance your life. Love of ballroom dancing not necessary.

A splendid film
This film is so enjoyable, it completely caught me by surprise. Not being interested in Ballroom dancing I thought it might be a bore, but I was captivated. A little over-long in some of the competition parts where you have to see each performance of each dance, but completely necessary plot-wise. Its a gem of a film, exploring not only these children learning the particular dances and their investment in the competition side of it, but also a glimpse into their lives and opinions about growing up in NYC. You'll find yourself rooting for the children to win their competitions, but also wishing you could see them ten years on, to see where they end up in life.
Rent it or buy it, its really fun to watch!