MAD HOT BALLROOM & WAR OF THE WORLDS

It Twas the best of times…

When I talk about the defining characteristics of Spiritual Cinema, the keystone is always the quality of helping us feel better about being human. It’s such a simple concept isn’t it? Unfortunately, so few films coming out of Hollywood nowadays actually meet that standard. Have you seen any studio films this summer that fit that bill? I haven’t; however, there is at least one reason to stand up and cheer…a small, independent film named MAD HOT BALLROOM.

BALLROOM is the most recent example of the evolution of the entertainment potential of documentaries. Filmmakers who before might have focused their prodigious storytelling talents on feature films are now telling compelling and inspiring stories in documentary form and we, the audience, are being treated to some new and wonderful visions of who we can be as a humanity when we operate at our very best.

The story of BALLROOM centers on a program for 5th graders in New York schools which actually requires kids to at least participate in a ballroom dancing program. Those who excel become part of the school team that competes in an area-wide competition, leading to the ultimate crowning of a championship team. The film follows several teams of 10 year olds as they begin their tentative “steps” in dances such as the swing and the rumba and, most importantly, it illustrates how the program itself elevates the awareness of the young people to teamwork, etiquette, peer respect, and discipline.

The film is also a beautiful and inspiring portrait of the unsung, underpaid, and under-appreciated teachers who every day lead our children into their futures. The teachers in MAD HOT BALLROOM seem acutely aware of the positive potential of their young students and every frame of the film is a fitting tribute to those teachers who care so deeply for and believe so completely in the young people whose lives they help mold every day.

I smiled and I cried. I laughed all the way through MAD HOT BALLROOM and, as far as I am concerned, it is the film of the summer everyone must see.

On the other hand, Twas also the worst of times…

Hollywood is in the midst of the worst box office nosedive in its history. If things don’t dramatically improve (and there is nothing on the horizon to make us believe that they will), Hollywood may sell 200 million less tickets in 2005 than it did in 2004. 

Steven Spielberg’s remake of WAR OF THE WORLDS, the supposed centerpiece of Hollywood’s “blockbuster summer” leaves a lot to be desired.

Mr. Spielberg spent $150 million on this violent, depressing, and nihilistic movie which is truly beyond my comprehension. Even more troubling is the realization that the man who thrilled us with E.T. and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS has become so detached from his audience that he has chosen in recent years to make two human “snuff” films about our annihilation as a species: first, the ill-conceived A.I. a few years ago and, now, a particularly ugly remake of Orson Welles’ WAR OF THE WORLDS. It was also amazing that this film received a PG-13 rating. The well-being of our children in the audience was not at the top of anyone’s concern. WAR OF THE WORLDS is dark with depressing visions of our future. When the film comes out on video, please use extreme caution in being fooled into renting it for your kids. Near the end of the film, Ms. Channing’s exposure to the vile cruelty around her causes her to slip into a near-catatonic state and your own children could have nightmares for months.

So, in these two films, we find a fascinating dichotomy between a young filmmaker who has made a film from the depth of her heart and an older filmmaker who seems to have lost touch with his. Most importantly, we have the real children of our beautiful world, and their dedicated and inspiring teachers, as depicted in MAD HOT BALLROOM, to inspire us to see the beauty and potential of our humanity. As long as there are people such as these who devote their lives to teaching and leading our children, and as long as there are young people who strive to be the best they can be, we will continue to evolve into the exalted state of our humanity of which we have always dreamed.

This Month's Spiritual Cinema Circle Films

OUT OF PROPORTION:

This incredibly funny short film, written, directed by, and starring Scott Cervine, was a real audience favorite at our recent Spiritual Cinema Festival-at-Sea. The film reminds us that if we don’t face the emotions we’re going through, we can really get out of balance and behave in a way that’s truly Out of Proportion! Written and Directed by Scott Cervine. (12 min., in English)

IN GOD WE TRUST:

In this incredibly clever short film on the afterlife, Karma points and how to work the system, Robert (Richard Speight, Jr.) breaks all the rules! In God We Trust has some very important tips on how to live right now, so that you will get to where you want to go…after this life. A fast-paced, hilariously funny romp that you’ll want to watch more than once! Written and Directed by Jason Reitman. (16 min., in English)

PAPER ROSES:

A heartwarming short film about loves lost and found, and how the circle of life always comes around. An old man in a cafe watches a potential love affair between two strangers, and through reflecting on his own loves and losses, realizes the importance of what he is witnessing. Somehow he finds the courage and creativity to have an effect on this love affair, in a sense redeeming the one that he lost years ago. Written and Directed by Saxon Moen. (16 min., in English) 

Bonus! Behind The Scene: CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD

This installment of our Conversations with God “behind the scenes” video diary focuses on the early script development process, putting together the crew, and finding film locations. (5 min.)

Feature Film: ROCKS WITH WINGS:

This award-winning feature length documentary chronicles the suspenseful story of the Shiprock, New Mexico girl’s high school basketball team’s rise to fame. Made up of a group of young Native American women from the Navajo Reservation, the team was taught how to win by their African American basketball coach from Texas, Jerry Richardson. Filmmaker Rick Derby took 13 years to capture the struggle that the coach and the girls went through in facing their fears and limiting beliefs about playing, winning, racial stereotypes and suppression. A moving, poignant, and utterly engrossing journey of the spirit. Directed by Rick Derby. (120 min., in English)

For more information about the Spiritual Cinema Circle, click here.