Watch Mad Hot Ballroom

Mad Hot Ballroom is a documentary film that tells a story of the young ballroom dancers from different schools in New York City who compete in a city-wide ballroom dancing competition. The movie was directed by Marilyn Agrelo and produced by Amy Sewell. The film opens with an introduction to the ballroom dancing program in New York City public schools. Fifth-graders from three schools are selected to participate in a 10-week ballroom dancing training program. The schools are in different neighborhoods of New York City: Washington Heights, Tribeca, and Bensonhurst. The students come from diverse backgrounds, and they have different personalities, but they have something in common- they all love to dance.

The movie follows the young dancers as they train under professional ballroom dance instructors. The children learn different types of dances such as the rumba, salsa, tango, foxtrot, merengue, and swing. They also learn the dance etiquette, appropriate dress codes, and partner coordination. The movie captures the hard work and dedication of the young dancers as they strive to improve their steps and techniques.

In addition to the dance training, the movie also shows the personal lives of the students. It highlights the challenges they face both in and out of school. Some of the students live in low-income households, some come from single-parent homes, and others have to care for their sick parents or younger siblings. The movie showcases how dancing becomes an escape for the kids from their daily struggles and how it lifts their spirits and boosts their confidence.

The movie also introduces us to the teachers and instructors who are responsible for training the young dancers. These are professional ballroom dancers with years of experience. They come from different parts of the world, and they all share a passion for dance. They invest their time and energy in the young dancers, teaching them not only the dance moves but also important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

As the training progresses, the movie builds up to the competition day. The young dancers work hard to perfect their routines, and they compete against each other in front of a panel of judges. The competition takes place in a packed ballroom, and the atmosphere is electrifying. The movie captures the emotions of the dancers, the excitement of the crowd, and the nervousness of the parents and teachers.

The ending of the movie is both heartwarming and inspiring. The young dancers, regardless of the results, have all shown remarkable improvement and dedication. They have learned important life skills, made new friends across different communities, and discovered a love for dance. The movie shows how much the ballroom dancing program has impacted the lives of these young dancers and how it has given them an opportunity to shine.

Overall, Mad Hot Ballroom is a must-watch movie for anyone who loves dance, documentaries, or both. Marilyn Agrelo did an excellent job in capturing the spirit and essence of the ballroom dancing program, and the young dancers have given us a glimpse of the power of dance in transforming lives. This movie will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

Mad Hot Ballroom is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 71.