SCREEN

RIZE

Matthew Scott Hunter

Clowning, krumping and stripper-dancing don't sound like things you'd recommend your kids do to stay out of trouble. But it turns out these blossoming forms of modern dance might be the best way to redirect the aggressive energies of frustrated ghetto youth into something positive. These kids aren't simply dancing; they're exorcising demons. LaChapelle is able to draw that a vibrant beauty from some of the grittiest parking lots in South Central LA as he chronicles the rise and differentiation of the underground dance. Rize (which had its local screening at this year's CineVegas Film Festival) is visually astounding, fascinating, and even packs an emotional punch as you get to know the dancers and their struggles, and their discovery of the healing power of dance.

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