Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)

The students of several New York City elementary schools learn ballroom dancing and compete in a city wide dance competition.

Director:

Marilyn Agrelo

Writer:

Amy Sewell

Stars:

Heather Berman, Emma Therese Biegacki, Eva Carrozza

8 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Heather Berman	...	Self
Emma Therese Biegacki	...	Self
Eva Carrozza	...	Self
Evangelina Carrozzo	...	Self
Paul Daggett	...	Self
Graciela Daniele	...	Self - Final Competition Judge
Pierre Dulaine	...	Self - Organizer and MC of the Final Dance Competition
Leslie Freu	...	Self - Teacher PS 112
Tara Devon Gallagher	...	Self
Madeleine Hackney	...	Self
Charlotte Jorgensen	...	Self - Final Competition Judge
Rodney Lopez	...	Self
Victoria Malvagno	...	Self
Stacee Mandeville	...	Self
Terri Mintzer	...	Self - Teacher PS 144

Storyline

Eleven-year-old New York City public school kids journey into the world of ballroom dancing and reveal pieces of themselves and their world along the way. Told from their candid, sometimes hilarious perspectives, these kids are transformed, from reluctant participants to determined competitors, from typical urban kids to "ladies and gentlemen," on their way to try to compete in the final citywide competition. Providing unique insight into the incredible cultural diversity that is New York City, this film profiles several kids from three schools (out of 60) at this dynamic age, when becoming that "cool" teenager vies for position with familiar innocence, while they learn the merengue, rumba, tango, the foxtrot and swing.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | ballroom dancing | self confidence | poise | teacher | 

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Taglines:

6,000 kids. 60 schools. 10 weeks. 1 dream.

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Genres:

Documentary | Family | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cinematographer Claudia Raschke held the camera at stomach level to keep it in line with the children's faces.

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Quotes

Alex Tchassov: Let's use this trick, eye-to-eye connection, I am serious. Take a look at each other like
[it is for the]
Alex Tchassov: last time in your life.
Kids: Aw man, no!
Alex Tchassov: Ok. What is problem?

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Crazy Credits

Some of the children add their observations about life in film clips during the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.3 (2011)

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Soundtracks

FEVER
by Peggy Lee

User Reviews

May change school curriculum throughout the country

This is a heart warming and amusing documentary about a ballroom dancing competition between 11 year old students at several New York public schools where ballroom dancing is taught. The kids are taught to dance the merengue, tango, foxtrot and other steps. To merely say it was cute is an understatement.

It begins as the kids start to learn to dance, at first sometimes awkward and bashful, but by the end of the course the kids are transformed into "ladies and gentlemen" (as the teachers refer to them), miniature versions of accomplished ballroom dancers. The children take on many of the aspects of professional adult dancers, moving to the beat of the music, always smiling and making eye contact with their partners while they dance like pros.

This film is likely to cause parents who see it to want their kids to learn too. It will not be surprising if ballroom dancing courses begin to spread in schools through the country.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

1 July 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Forró táncparkett

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$45,348, 15 May 2005

Gross USA:

$8,117,961

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,104,327

Company Credits

Production Co:

Just One Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1