ALIVE AND KICKING: JUMP, JIVE AND WAIL!

In the last decade or so a rise in interest concerning dancing has taken place. I’m not talking about hip hop or popular dance but things like ballroom and swing dance in particular. With the popularity of DANCING WITH THE STARS on TV young people have discovered this form of dance and are embracing it around the world.

Not only has the dance craze gained the interests of young people it’s formed its own culture and lifestyle as well. ALIVE AND KICKING takes a look at that style and several of those deeply committed to it. Focusing on several individuals the movie takes a look behind the scenes at their lives.

One teaches dance, another is a young couple who are dance partners and yet another pair are two best friends who began in Europe. Each one of them has their own story to tell, how they came to discover the style of dance, what it means to them and how they’ve become welcome members into a world all its own with contests held around the globe. Winners and losers in these competitions are not like many others where professional jealousy scars the combatants, instead they become fast friends with open arms to one another. It is the love of dance that unites them.

The documentary doesn’t just discuss the current state of swing dance but looks back at its history as well, showcasing some of the memorable dancers of its peak era back in the 30s and 40s. Some of those dancers were still with us at the time the film was shooting and continuing to dance well into their golden years. The roots of the style developed in Harlem and that’s noted here. And those who dance it today pay due respect to those roots.

The film is a bit of a dry documentary, showing us what goes on behind the scenes as well as in the lives of those who dance. But in those glimpses we are presented with people who don’t dance just to compete, who don’t dance just because it’s something to do, but who love the joy that dancing brings them. The fast moves, the flips, the twists and turns all exude a high energy level that these dancers get a charge from. They love what they’re doing and it brings them great happiness.

Watching the dancers is an exhausting task but enjoyable at the same time. The style is quick and light of foot and just looks like fun, though I’m at an age and condition where I could never learn it by now. The only fault I can find with the film is that watching the dances can get repetitive to some but those willing to sit back and enjoy will have fun. It’s an interesting topic and great to see young people involved in something like this instead of bemoaning the condition of the world. Life is short, have fun in whatever way you can. For these people that means dancing. Who could ask for more?

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