Move and Be Moved

I watched this movie last week, and hope that you get a chance to view it yourself. Mad Hot Ballroom is simply delightful. This story explores through dance competition in New York city, the lives of young people reflecting upon, meeting and learning of each others diversity -- gender, race, culture, the concept of dance as life, and the joy of living.

This movie shows the transformation of many youth as they explore life with joy and dance as a metaphor. Though it does have a competitive aspect to it, one becomes immersed in each of the dreams the children express. Some of the children learn of their personal interest and commitment to the dance empowering them to become stronger individuals.

The words these children share are often deeply wise, and certainly frank and heartfelt. The teachers and coaches of these youth, provide some contrast as well. From teaching manners and goodness to a complete investment in the results of the competition we witness a variety of expression of our common humanity. This is a movie to be shared, as you cheer the youth onward.

I just finished watching Rize by Director David LaChapelle. This movie was full of vibrant kinetic action with many parallel's to meditative movement. I highly recommend it to anyone who uses dance movement as a spiritual practice. Critics of the film are wary of the videographing which focuses much on the dance moves, and are critical of the lack of personal stories. I personally was fascinated by the moves, and while the personal stories were slim there were a number of important messages about personal development and societal change. I found much more about the individuals by watching the extra features.

Early in the film, the dancer known as Dragon states, "You get Krumped. Channel that anger, anything negative that has happened in your life, you can channel it into your dance, and release it in a positive way, because you're releasing in art. The art of dance." My teacher Gabrielle Roth has long taught to put the emotions in motion, and they will be released by this form of creating art.

It was interesting to note that while dancers competed using the two forms, "Krumping", and "Clowing", that they had great respect for each other's art. During competitions, I noticed that the competitor was held in a semi-circle by the rest of the dancers. I interpreted this holding as a form of witnessing, and communal energy building.

One dancer makes the connection that the "Krumper" dance moves are like thier ancestors ritual moves. In one scene, the dancer Daisy becomes unconcious from her ecstatic dance. Bradford Keeney writes about this same experience in his studies of the Bushman in the Kalahari desert. Daisy explains later in the extra features, "I caught the holy spirit. That was the first time I really let go. You gotta just let go. I felt free. I don't know. I can't even explain it. It's like praise dancing. Like when you praise dance at church. You just dance freely."

In terms of societal change, this story is another fine example of the ability of us humans to rise above our circumstances, and effect change in our lives against difficult odds and circumstances.