"What an unexpected delight! If you enjoyed 'Spellbound,' put this on your must-see list. It's a winner!" Susan Granger MODAMAG.COM "Wins you over with kid after kid after kid saying the darndest things about boys and girls, winning and losing, and a host of other issues." Lisa Kennedy DENVER POST "A testament to the discipline, humor, and life of kids who swing." Owen Gleiberman ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "By the end we're glowing with pride just like their parents and teachers." Rich Cline SHADOWS ON THE WALL "An amazing documentary achievement: easily as good, if not better, than any recent 'feel good' fictional story that Hollywood has put on the screen." James Berardinelli REELVIEWS

"This winning documentary about fifth-graders who learn ballroom dancing is one of those movies that make the world a brighter place." Jami Bernard NEW YORK DAILY NEWS "The beauty of this movie is the way that it shows that grace, dignity, elegance, and pride in mastering a skill are important and thrilling and transformational." Nell Minow, MOVIE MOM AT YAHOO! MOVIES "Mad Hot Ballroom is a crowd-pleaser of the first order." Lou Lumenick NEW YORK POST "Entertaining and precious ... it's certain to cast a spell on you." Steve Rhodes INTERNET REVIEWS "For the documented youngsters, it's a celebration of their stamina, tenacity and unforced lovability." Philip Wuntch DALLAS MORNING NEWS

The Inside Story

"This charming documentary has been scooping up audience awards at festivals around the globe. This says volumes because - although not technically groundbreaking - Mad Hot Ballroom is an outrageously enjoyable movie." Marise Watson FILMINK

What a delightful, charming, wonderful film this is. It's captured the hearts of cinemagoers all over the world and has had the critics singing its praises. I must admit, for the first time in over five years of reviewing films, I was almost tempted to give "Mad Hot Ballroom" the first five star rating on this site. In the end I've settled on four and a half stars only because It leaves room to manouver in the future when I come across a film that can top this absolute gem. So how could a film about a bunch of eleven year old New York kids taking dancing classes, garner so much praise? Because it is totally captivating. It is the ultimate feel good film. It gets you excited and involved. What? A film about kids gearing up for a ballroom dancing competition in which there are no runner-ups, no minor placings, only one winner? It's true. New York City-based American Ballroom Theatre's Dancing Classrooms was started a little over ten years ago with just two schools. Now the annual programme boasts sixty schools particpating in a ten week course involving two lessons a week, from which five dance couples will be selected to perform either the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango or swing. One more couple is chosen as a spare. They must be competent in all five dance styles. More importantly, all those who participate in the classes learn to treat each other as Ladies and Gentlemen. "Mad Hot Ballroom" is very much a film about passion. The passion to master the dance styles and the passion of competition. The passion of the dance teachers who not only gain the childrens confidence, but also their deepest respect. It's a two way street. That passion also applies to the film-makers. "Amy Sewell first approached me with her idea for this film in the summer of 2003. Although we had known each other for many years, our busy lives only occasionally crossed paths, Director and Producer Marilyn Agrelo said. "As she described her amazing experiences writing about last year’s Tribeca team, I became totally hooked. Her passion, excitement and enthusiasm were contagious. We both knew we would embark on this journey together, wherever it took us. Looking back on it, that day was monumental because it launched the best partnership I’ve ever had." Fellow Producer and Writer Amy Sewell recalls bringing up the subject of film-making on a number of occassions when the two met. Sewell recalls saying, "Marilyn, let’s make a movie together." She'd ask "About what?" I’d reply, "I don’t know" And she’d nicely reply, "Well, when you know, give me a call". Finally they were getting together. Originally the idea was to concentrate on just one school, but Agrelo saw a bigger picture. One filled with diversity. "I suggested that we expand our account to include a few schools instead of one, so that we could take real advantage of the city’s incredible diversity," she explained. "What interested me most about the story we were going to tell was the contrast between kids from wide ranging socio-economic backgrounds and neighborhood environments." It's an idea that works incredibly well. Knowing the cultural background of the children brings with it a better understanding as to where the students are coming from. "The three schools Amy and I chose (out of the 20 that we scouted) gave us such a rich array of urban kids. Each group was so distinct and singular in it’s own way." So why did they choose the three schools featured in "Mad Hot Ballroom"? "Each school had strong distinctive determining elements which led us to our choices," Amy Sewell recalls. I stayed fixated on P.S. 150 because this was a unique public city school in that there is only one class per grade. These kids had been together since Kindergarten so they were more intimate with each other but this also carried the tumultuous effect of being too insular. While smart and street-wise, these kids were a little more protected, but it made them stand out. The key to choosing Bensonhurst-school P.S. 112 was Victoria Malvagno, the ABrT dance teacher. She had a magnified presence and we thought she would be a good person to help move the story along. As an added benefit, this neighborhood thrilled us with its transitional flavor of changing from an almost all Italian neighborhood five years ago to now almost 50% Asian. We chose P.S. 115 in Washington Heights because of teacher Yomaira Reynoso. She was strong, interesting and confident. We felt she was going to give us "a story" whether we asked for one or not! In addition to Yomaira, ABrT dance teacher Rodney Lopez, complimented her verve with a lovely touch of class. The kids all started out just as silent as mice but oh, could they dance." Shooting the film created all sorts of problems. They had to get 700 release forms signed by the students parents, there were endless hassles with the soundtrack rights and "the New York City Department of Education decided they really didn’t want us shooting inside the schools during class hours." In conrast there was plenty of excitement during filming on "the streets". "Each neighborhood had its own character and challenges but Washington Heights was certainly the most exciting. There was a fair share of interesting stories; a police raid in the middle of an interview in a restaurant," Sewell recalls, "everyone down on the floor with 7 cops and guns drawn,to arrest a couple guys wanted for murder; dealers using my van’s tailpipe as a storage unit while they worked the corner close to where I parked; a guy being chased by another with a huge stick (we didn’t stick around to find out why or what eventually happened), and the occasional barrage of harassment thinking we were 'los federales' (FBI). It didn’t happen that often but often enough to take note. And in all fairness, there were times that we almost felt protected by 'the street' after word spread that we were filming a good story about the kids in the neighborhood." So was there anything special Sewell took from the film. Something that will forever remain with her? "If I had to say what was the greatest thing about the whole journey, it’s that for a short time in our lives, these kids bared their souls to us and gave us such a rare and special glimpse into their little, often sometimes, complicated lives, and let us see the magic that is in each and every one of them. For that, I will be forever grateful," Sewell said. As one of the many cinemagoers who has been totally captivated and enchanted by "Mad Hot Ballroom" I would whole heartedly agree with Sewell. "Mad Hot Ballroom" may only run for 106 minutes but by the end, we feel as though we've always known the kids. I personally have no hesitation in giving "Mad Hot Ballroom" a Most Highly Recommended rating. A great film for parents, kids, grandparents or anyone who wants to be part of an uplifting experience. American Ballroom Theatre's Dancing Classrooms New York City-based American Ballroom Theatre's (ABrT) Dancing Classrooms is the nonprofit organization that has been providing instruction in American-style ballroom dance to currently over 60 public schools in New York City. The program was introduced in two schools 10 years ago. In 10 weeks (20 one-hour sessions) the kids absorb a repertoire that includes the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango, swing and a couple of line dances thrown in just for fun. The schools are then given the choice to compete. These competitions (quarterfinals, semifinals and final) are called Rainbow Team Matches. About 48 schools choose to compete and only nine (a representation from each borough) make it to the final competition. Each dance team is made up of five couples, one for each of the five dances, and one alternate couple who must know how to do every dance well in case a couple is absent. Sounds Of Mad Hot Ballroom

1. Gonna Make You Sweat [C + C Music Factory] 2. Fever [Peggy Lee] 3. In The Mood [Glenn Miller And His Orchestra] 4. It’s Only A Paper Moon [Bobby Darin] 5. Menea [El Bonche] 6. Pick Up The Phone [Swingerhead] 7. You’re Driving Me Crazy [Della Reese] 8. Our Love Is Here To Stay [Ella Fitzgerald] 9. Y Su Coco Band Ta Haciendo Frio [Pochy Familia] 10. Spanish Fire Tango [Tony Evans And His Orchestra] 11. Tu Eres Ajen [Eddy Herrera] 12. Historia De Un Amor [The Dancing Strings] 13. Six Hot Line [Jet Set] 14. Gaseous Clay [Boomish] 15. Mad Hot Ballroom [Tina Fabrique]

Listen to track samples from the OST CD

Buy the Mad Hot Ballroom OST CD on-line

Crew Bytes "MAD HOT BALLROOM" was .......
directed by Marilyn Agrelo ["Mad Hot Ballroom"]; screenplay by Amy Sewell ["Mad Hot Ballroom"]; post production by Stuart Macphee ["Gangs of New York", "The Aviator", "Super Size Me" and "Tennis, Anyone...?"]; edited by Sabine Krayenbühl ["15 Months in May", "Pastry, Pain and Politics", "Heartbreak Hospital" and "My Architect"]; cinematography by Claudia Raschke ["The Last Good Time", "No Way Home", "His and Hers" and "Kiss Me, Guido"]; original music by Joseph Baker ["Mad Hot Ballroom"] and Steven Lutvak ["Anything But Love" and "Mad Hot Ballroom"]; produced by Marilyn Agrelo ["Smash the Kitty" and "Mad Hot Ballroom"] and Amy Sewell ["Mad Hot Ballroom"]. What It's All About

"In post 9/11 New York Mad Hot Ballroom reflects the heart and soul of a unique city through the exuberant teachers and students of a superb, life-affirming and life-changing programme." Avril Carruthers INFILMAUST

At P.S. 150, P.S. 112 and P.S. 115 schools the students are about to have their first dance class. Over the next ten weeks their skills will be honed as they learn five dance styles. At the end of the period, 10 students will be partnered up for individual competition, while two students, skilled in all five styles, will be chosen as a spare. Then the competition will begin. There are no losers, as all the children will have gained something from the course, but there can only be one winner of the championship trophy. On the road to the finals the children will give 100%. Many will experience disappointment. One school will experience the elation and excitement of winning New York's ultimate public schools dance competition. The Verdict "Six thousand kids, sixty schools, ten weeks and one dream makes "Mad Hot Ballroom" the most inspiring, charming and delightful films I've seen in a long time. The teachers are obviously totally dedicated to the task of bringing out the best in those children who undertake the dance course. As for the children, well they are sensational. Whether at dancing classes or out with their classmates they will charm the socks off you. This is one hot film. "Mad Hot Ballroom" is grand fun. The energetic, emotional charged, nail biting finale` will have you on the edge of your seat. Most Highly Recommended." The School Cast P.S. 150 TRIBECA Class teacher Allison Sheniak is a loving, caring teacher who has a way of making you "feel her pain". Alex Tchassov, a Russian-native, is the teaching artist from American Ballroom Theater, the organization that provides the instruction. With his gentle manner and his awkwardly translated analogies, he makes learning the dance steps a breeze. Emma Biegacki stands out as the girl who wise beyond her years. Reining in as a typical New York kid, she always has something meaningful to say. If she has her way, Tara Devon Gallagher will be on her way to Broadway or Hollywood some time soon. An aspiring young actress, she is featured in another movie, Swimmers, which premiered at the other festival in Utah in January. If we see Cyrus Hernstadt as Senator some day, it would not be surprising. This smart, perspicacious kid is fun to watch.Zeb Liburd is a sweet boy who really wears his heart on his sleeve in all that he does. The other P.S. 150 dance team members are Richard R. Brown IV, Jao-Ke Chin Lee, Willie C. Gantt, Dominic Guglielmo, Quana Jones, Celia B. Ortiz, Zelaina Rodriguez and Nile Roc Terry.
P.S. 112 BENSONHURST BROOKLYN ABrT Teaching Artist Victoria Malvagno is charming and fun and her analogies playful. Michael Vaccaro is lovable, cute and confident. Jia Wen Zhu and Priscilla Kwong are just two of the girls in the class who give us some wonderful insight into their world. The other P.S. 112 kids on the dance team are Ariel Escoto, Sharese DeBiasi, Benjamin Feng, Mohammad Hussein, Nathalie Perez, Bleron Samarxhiu, David Wong, Jean Xiaoyi, Sherry Zeng.
P.S. 115 WASHINGTON HEIGHTS Yomaira Reynoso, the teacher who guides her class through the dance lessons with more than a touch of “hard love,” is vivacious, daring and ambitious. Rodney Lopez, the ABrT teaching artist, adds a touch of class to the dance setting with his mild, yet hip, mannerisms. He’s someone these kids can relate to. Wilson Castillo is the little boy with the big, beautiful eyes who takes everyone’s breath away with his dance style. Jatnna Toribio is confident, ambitious and precocious Elsamelys Ulerio’s dancing shows there’s a lot more that goes on beneath that quiet exterior. Kelvin Acevedo, referred to by the crew as the “gentle giant,” because while almost never saying a word, his presence is noticed. The other dance team members are Joshua Duran, Jeffrey Espinal, Kevin Heredia, Kelvin Muñoz, Karina Sanchez and Angie Toribio. The Crew Directed by Marilyn Agrelo Written by Amy Sewell Produced by Marilyn Agrelo & Amy Sewell Original Music by Joseph Baker & Steven Lutvak Cinematography by Claudia Raschke Film Editing by Sabine Krayenbühl Post-production Supervisor Stuart Macphee Run Time 106 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - Icon Film Distribution - All Rights Reserved ENDURING © - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages- All Rights Reserved