Mad Hot Ballroom

In 1994, a ballroom dance programme was introduced to fifth graders in two New York City public schools. It was such an unexpected success that 6000 children from over 60 schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens now take the 10-week course.

Mad Hot Ballroom follows kids from three NYC schools as they try to win a citywide competition. They must progress from the 'I hate girls' and 'boys are too rough' stage and work together towards a common aim: winning the competition.

Ballroom dancing is strictly a rite of passage for these inner city children. As one dance teacher puts it: 'It's more than just a bunch of steps - it's etiquette, it's knowledge... it's life.'

Director Marilyn Agrelo emphasises through candid interviews with the children and their teachers that through the process something remarkable was happening here, something that went way beyond ballroom dancing.

Agrelo's message is clear: dance doesn't differentiate between social status, gender or race. Something seemingly frivolous has become a search for a better life for everyone involved.

Mad Hot Ballroom became the USA's second highest grossing documentary of 2005.