Award-winning Documentary Screening at MFA

In the past few years, Bostonist has seen some pretty spectacular documentaries: "Spellbound", "DIG!", "Paper Clips", "Mad Hot Ballroom", "Murderball"; the list could go on but we think you get the idea. None of these compares to "Rhythm Is It!" – an incredible movie that documents the work of choreographer Roysten Maldoom and his team as they create a dance company in less than two months with 250 "at-risk youths" (their terminology not ours) from around Berlin to perform Stravinsky’s ballet, "the Rite of Spring," with the Berlin Philharmonic.

Now, we know what you're thinking: ballet? Bostonist is telling us to watch a documentary about a ballet company formed in Berlin? Simply put, yes.

Beyond the depiction of the rehearsals and interviews with Maldoom and his associates as they discuss their frustrations and joys with the program, "Rhythm Is It!" follows a few of the participants over the course of the six-week program and delves into their personal stories (which all tug at the heart strings). Bostonist was particularly moved by the story of an African teenager who relocated to Berlin after losing his family. He struggles with the cultural gap and with finding his place in the city, but throughout it all smiles and approaches difficulties most 16 year olds wouldn’t begin to touch with unrivalled energy and enthusiasm. In the end, we came away feeling an intense joy for him and his future. The movie generally left us with a real excitement; if we were to liken this feeling to another movie it would have to be "Rudy" – Bostonist felt the same rush of emotion at the finish of “Rhythm Is It!” as we did when Rudy took the field – actually more. (How can you honestly resist booking your ticket now?)

Now, we are jumping the gun a bit, as the showing of “Rhythm Is It!” isn’t until September 11 at the MFA and you can’t book your tickets just yet, but we just couldn’t help ourselves. Mark it in your calendar now. Did we mention that it has won numerous German film awards, the Gibson Impact of Music Award, and has received rave reviews at all major international film festivals? We speak only the truth.

"Rhythm Is It!" will be showing at 3:30 pm on September 11, 2005, in the Remis Auditorium at the MFA. To book tickets, visit the MFA website. Also, if you're interested you can read more about "Rhythm Is It!" here.