MASS MoCA to Screen a "Coming of Age" Dance Adventure Gotta Dance
North Adams - Who says you can't hip-hop if you're 80 years-old? Who says a senior citizen can't shake things up and light up a jam-packed sports arena with hot moves and a cool attitude? The individuals featured in the exhilarating Gotta Dance prove that card-carrying members of AARP don't have to give up their dreams and that "age doesn't matter - unless you're a cheese." The documentary will have its New England premiere at MASS MoCA on Friday, October 24th at 8 PM in the Hunter Center as part of the Williamstown Film Festival, preceded by Nina Chernik's short film Maine Story.Gotta Dance chronicles the debut of the New Jersey Nets' first-ever senior hip-hop dance team, following a dozen women and one man from auditions to center court stardom. As dance moves are perfected and performed in front of thousands, myths and misperceptions about aging are pulverized. Despite swollen ankles, exhausting rehearsals, fashion clashes, and seemingly impossible steps, the NETSational Seniors spread joy, inspiration and cool dance moves as they hip-hop their way into the hearts of Nets fans and beyond.
The Newark Star Ledger notes, "Gotta Dance is a warm hug -- a behind-the-scenes look the New Jersey NETSationals, who left their needlepoint and History Channel re-runs to bust a move on the court. If it's inspiring, it's because director Dori Berinstein expertly captures the fun and hard work while avoiding aren't-they-cute, codgerly condescension."
Dori Bernstein is an award-winning director and producer of film, theatre and television. Gotta Dance is Bernstein's third full-length documentary project. Her first, ShowBusiness: The Road To Broadway, was recognized as one of the top films of 2006 by the International Documentary Association and screened as part of the Williamstown Film Festival's 2005 season. Following the screening of Gotta Dance, the director and several members of the hiphop team will be on the Hunter stage for a Q-&-A (and possibly some cool moves).
In Maine Story, when her high school sweetheart unexpectedly returns to town, Shelly is forced to confront those things in her life that she's been avoiding. Filmmaker Nina Chernik notes: "Maine Story is a film that portrays a town as much as it does its characters. I wrote this story to speak about how sometimes we can get stymied in our life's path and may not even be aware of it. I wanted to explore a person who desperately needed to make a proactive decision to move forward and put her past to rest in order to do so."
Celebrating its tenth season, WFF has gained a strong reputation as, in the words of one alumnus, "an absolute must-stop on the film festival circuit." The Festival showcases the best in independent film and honors America's film past in the shape of classics; celebrates the present day through panels, seminars, and Q-and-A's between audiences and the actors, writers, directors and producers of indie film; and explores the new technologies carrying the art of film into the 21st century. Also as part of the Festival, MASS MoCA will be the site for the screening of Phoebe in Wonderland starring Felicity Huffman and Patricia Clarkson on Saturday, October 18. For additional information visit williamstownfilmfest.com.
Tickets for Gotta Dance are $13/$7 students. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. Wednesday through Monday. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413-662-2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org.
