David LaChapelle’s documentary comparing various types of modern dance is a compelling eye-opening journey into that world. Compiled over several years, photographer LaChappelle became interested in the styles of dance called clowning and krumping, which were started as an alternative to gangsta and hip-hop music and dance. The styles are very much connected to African tribal dances, and in one of the most hypnotic sequences in the film LaChappelle cuts back and forth between the two to create a trippy sequence showing that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I really like this film a great deal. Never mind the great dance sequences, which are reason enough to see the film on their own, what I really like is the great attitude the dancers have. Here are a bunch of people who are using dance and music to find an alternative to hate and violence. They are looking for something, and they seem to find it within themselves, and in the highs that the dancing produces...much like the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey.
In all honesty there isn’t much to say about this film other than just see it...and let the dancing speak for itself.
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