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

Anyone can make it if they know how to shake it.

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Genres:

Documentary | Family | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$8,044,906, 20 November 2005

Company Credits

Production Co:

Just One Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The three schools that the film follows are: PS 150 from the affluent Tribeca area; PS 112 from the primarily Italian and Asian area of Bensonhurst; and PS 115 from Washington Heights, a Dominican neighborhood where over 97% of the residents live below the poverty line.

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Quotes

White chubby kid: My religion does not allow me to dance, and Mouhamed's does not allow him to dance either, so we have really enjoyed being DJs.
Mouhamed: Everybody has been very nice to me, although... I am... from another...
[hesitates]
Mouhamed: country.

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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

Version of Take the Lead (2006)

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Soundtracks

FEVER
by Peggy Lee

User Reviews

Mad Hot Ballroom

I loved this movie. I laughed and cried. These children made me want to embrace them. They were such a joy to watch, their determination was astonishing. They had so much courage. I commend them. I looked on the internet the next day and searched for a dance school for my friend and I and we're starting next week. I just hope we're as good as those kids. Excellent movie. All children should see this movie to show them that you don't have to have money to enjoy life. Most of these children were living at or below poverty level and they prevailed. They have more heart then most adults I know. I'm going to go see it again and I can't start advocating to others to see it as well.