Watch Dancing In Jaffa

In the heartwarming and inspiring documentary Dancing In Jaffa, renowned ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine returns to his childhood home of Jaffa, Israel, in an effort to bring together Jewish and Palestinian children through the art of dance. The film begins with Dulaine, who was born in Jaffa but left as a child, reflecting on his roots and the contrasting realities facing both Israeli and Palestinian young people in his hometown. Dulaine's objective is to teach a group of 11-year-old Israeli and Palestinian children to dance with each other, culminating in a competition that will put their newfound abilities to the test.

Throughout the documentary, viewers witness Dulaine's persistence and dedication to his cause as he strives to bring reconciliation through dance. He visits local schools and speaks with parents in an effort to convince them to allow their children to participate in his program. Though the idea of Jewish children dancing with Palestinians proves controversial at first, Dulaine eventually manages to attract a group of eager students.

The children struggle at the beginning, as they have preconceived notions and misunderstandings of "the other side." However, as they begin to learn the steps of ballroom dance and work with partners of a different faith, they start to develop respect and admiration for each other's cultures. Dulaine makes it clear that he isn't simply teaching them to dance, but is building unity and breaking down long-standing walls of mistrust and prejudice.

Dulaine is aided in his mission by Yvonne Marceau, the respected dance teacher who selects the children to participate in the program, and Alaa Bubali, a passionate and talented Arab dancer who works closely with the Palestinian children. The trio are beacons of hope for the children, and their determination to see the program succeed is infectious.

The emotional core of Dancing In Jaffa lies in the children themselves. Their conflicts, friendships, and dreams are illuminated in the film as they work towards the final dance competition, where they try their best to demonstrate their hard work and their newfound respect for each other. Scenes of rehearsals and choreography sessions are sure to delight viewers, as the children learn the grace and coordination that will lead to their stunning competition finale.

While the film's focus is on the power of dance to bring people together, it is also a poignant commentary on the ongoing conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. Dancing In Jaffa is not overtly political, but the issues of identity and belonging, and the heavy baggage of history and the lingering pain of conflict, create an intricate emotional background to the dancing program. Dulaine, Marceau, and Bubali are all deeply invested in pointing out how art can transcend political and social barriers.

Overall, Dancing In Jaffa is a remarkable journey towards harmony and the power of dance to bridge divides between different groups of people. It heartwarmingly captures the transformative effect of dance on the young people who participate, as well as on those who witness it. Dulaine's message of hope and enthusiasm for cultural exchange is a valuable reminder of the possibilities of human connection and the importance of understanding across perceived boundaries. The film is a clear example of how dance can be a catalyst for not only body movement, but also reconciliation of hearts and minds.

Dancing In Jaffa is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 74.