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Alive and Kicking

Name: Alive and Kicking
Director: Susan Glatzer
Released: 2017
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2017

Not Rated

Director

Susan Glatzer

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Alive and Kicking is a sophisticated documentary that uses the history of swing dance to examine broader shifts in American social identity. It moves beyond mere performance to provide a meaningful study of community ability to act and cultural continuity. The film's primary strength is its historical grounding, specifically its focus on the Black American roots of the genre. By tracing the movement from the Harlem Renaissance to its modern rebirth, the film honors the creators of the art form. While the film captures the inclusive nature of dance subcultures, it lacks specific details regarding disability representation. However, its focus on communal ability to act provides a strong foundation for cultural storytelling.

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Category Breakdown

Does Alive and Kicking have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film explores a swing dance subculture known for its historical and contemporary inclusivity. It captures an insider's view of spaces where non-straight identities often find community and expression.

How does Alive and Kicking portray gender?

Good

The documentary disrupts traditional hierarchies by centering the role of dancers. It highlights a communal social interaction where gender roles are often fluid or secondary to the dance itself.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Alive and Kicking?

Excellent

The film excels by highlighting the genre's origins in Harlem. It prioritizes the role of Black Americans in the creation and preservation of this global cultural phenomenon.

How does Alive and Kicking represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative uses swing dance to explore community resilience and heritage preservation. It examines how grassroots cultural movements navigate and influence broader American social norms.

Does Alive and Kicking include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of visible or invisible disabilities within the film's documentation.

Present on Screen

Strong emphasis on the Black American origins of swing dance in Harlem.
Effective exploration of how underrepresented cultural expressions influence broader society.
Captures the inclusive and fluid social nature of dance subcultures.

Limited or Absent

Lack of specific information regarding the representation of disabilities.
Limited explicit detail regarding specific LGBTQ+ romantic pairings or individual narratives.

Official Synopsis

Alive and Kicking gives the audience an intimate, insider’s view into the culture of the current swing dance world while shedding light on issues facing modern American society.

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