DVD, free loan from my public library. To me it is never a waste of time to see a documentary, no matter what the subject, because it helps us with a wider appreciation of the world around us.
This film was shot in the neighborhoods around Los Angeles. The poorer neighborhoods where the alternative to Clowining or Krumping is membership in a gang. So the dancing groups seem, from this movie, to be saving a few hundred youngsters from a life of crime.
We are told that the dancing, which is spontaneous, evolves every day. But whether it was Clowing (followers of Tommy the Clown) or Krumping, it pretty well all looks alike. The dancers are very animated, and move body parts around very fast. Fast feet, fast hands and arms punching in all different directions, and the pelvic area going back and forth as fast as they can. And they sweat a lot.
What I found myself wondering during the film, other than keeping them out of gangs (which is a good thing), what else is the dancing doing for them? No mention was made of any of them having jobs, although one mentioned that dancing can help him cope with problems, like being "short" to pay the bills. Dancing is good, but how are these young people learning to make a way for themselves in life, and what are they being taught about education and eventual jobs? Most of those we see on film seem very capable and intelligent, but I found myself wondering, "Where do they go from here?"
This film was shot in the neighborhoods around Los Angeles. The poorer neighborhoods where the alternative to Clowining or Krumping is membership in a gang. So the dancing groups seem, from this movie, to be saving a few hundred youngsters from a life of crime.
We are told that the dancing, which is spontaneous, evolves every day. But whether it was Clowing (followers of Tommy the Clown) or Krumping, it pretty well all looks alike. The dancers are very animated, and move body parts around very fast. Fast feet, fast hands and arms punching in all different directions, and the pelvic area going back and forth as fast as they can. And they sweat a lot.
What I found myself wondering during the film, other than keeping them out of gangs (which is a good thing), what else is the dancing doing for them? No mention was made of any of them having jobs, although one mentioned that dancing can help him cope with problems, like being "short" to pay the bills. Dancing is good, but how are these young people learning to make a way for themselves in life, and what are they being taught about education and eventual jobs? Most of those we see on film seem very capable and intelligent, but I found myself wondering, "Where do they go from here?"