Image Courtesy by The Weinstein Company and Mirage Enterprises.
It takes a certain amount of self-control not to fire away on all those inspirational dance quotes. Honestly, I think it might be worth remembering the essence of truth behind all the decorative profanity but I’m going to spare you that. The key word here is self-control anyway. One of the things you definitely shouldn’t bring to the dance floor. Of course, it can be a good and necessary thing – the reason why you haven’t cut that fringe by yourself or had a whole cake for breakfast.
There are lot of absolutely beautiful dance movies out there with choreographies trained to perfection. However, this is not the kind of dancing that helps you get out of a blues after a long day, week or month or the kind of dancing which takes you out of your head, back into this present moment and this body (the one, that suffers most from self-control). The kind of dancing which temporarily helps you forget your frustration, your heartache, your pain and helps you reset.
It is certainly not a universal remedy but dancing without self-control and with all your inherent weirdness is healing. It is cathartic to let the body lead the movements rather than the mind. It is liberating to connect to this source of energy, available to us at all times. Not only is this a lot of fun, but it can basically be a cheap therapy session.
You can bring the heaviness or the uncertainties, all of it, just consider this a reminder to leave the self-control at the door from time to time. In that spirit, I’m going to end this with my favourite quote about dancing from the playwright Samuel Beckett: “dance first, think later, it’s the natural order.”
Image Courtesy by Touchstone Pictures and Bungalow 78 Productions.
1. Romy and Michele’s Highschool Reunion (1997)
Romy and Michele remind us that dancing is the perfect expression of your authentic self and all the goofiness it entails. Enjoy yourself, dare to be different, pull a little show, be extra. The right outfit helps you get into the mood. More is more and some kitsch is fine, it’s actually half the fun. Also: three makes the perfect duo and a striking pose always makes for a great finale.
Image Courtesy by RT Features, La Cinéfacture and Frenesy Film.
2. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Only a few things say dolce vita like trying to impress your crush with some eccentric yet slightly outdated dance moves on some random Summer night at an Italian Piazza. Luckily you don’t need to be in Italy or have a crush to enjoy some carefree moves like it’s the 1980s and you’re about to have the time of your life. Just put on some Italo disco and get those shoulders working.
Image Courtesy by Dark Castle Entertainment and Warner Bros.
3. RocknRolla (2008)
This dance scene is a perfect example for how you can turn potential shyness and initial hurdle to get moving into strangely extravagant moves. Fake it till you make. Option one: you pretend that you are low-key bored but decided to give it a try anyways. Option two: You pretend that you’ve actually mastered the arts of dancing. So like every great artist, you have to explore the deconstruction of the familiar. Think of it as the cubism of dancing.
Image Courtesy by 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks.
4. Do The Right Thing (1989)
The opening scene of Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing” highlights the energetic strength which can emerge if you turn off your head and just follow the rhythm and the way your bodies wants to express itself beyond words. Rosie Perez’ intuitive dancing opens up a whole world of raw and honest attitude, power and emotions and sets the tone for the entire movie.
Image Courtesy by The Geffen Film Company.
5. Risky Business (1983)
Club music doesn’t sooth your soul? Still like that old time Rock’n’Roll? Don’t worry, you don’t need to leave the house to feel like a freaky rockstar. Take it from Tom Cruise. A coffee table doubles as a stage and there’s no time like the present. So lose your pants and take those old records off the shelf. Turn up the music and without further ado, practice your very best air guitar performance while you reminisce about the days of old.
Image Courtesy by The Weinstein Company and Mirage Enterprises.
6. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
This is the “Dirty Dancing” finale we’ve actually needed. Tiffany and Patrick come to the dance floor as they are, they make up for the missing form with a lot of passion, they go for a big lift, stand behind its imperfection and keep on dancing. They explore different genres and like to shake it up with some personal White Stripes action in between. What’s not to love.
Image Courtesy by Miramax, Jersey Films and A Band Apart.
7. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Of course there is the mother of all weirdly brilliant dance scenes. It doesn’t get any more iconic than Uma Thurman’s and John Travolta’s variations of nonchalant twisting. The top 3 take-aways here are: never say no to an impromptu dance competition, when in doubt do “the batman” aka “the batusi” and last but not least commitment, commitment, commitment!
Image Courtesy by Rectangle Productions, Wild Bunch, Les Cinémas de la Zone, Eskwad, KNM, Arte France Cinéma, Artémis Productions, Vice Studios, CNC, Sacem, VOO, BE TV, Shelter Prod, Taxshelter.be, Cinéventure 3.
8. Climax (2018)
The intro scene from Gaspar Noé’s “Climax” switches between strange and impressive and so can you! It begs the questions, why can’t it be both. One moment you are giving your very best Paris Fashion Week top model runway impression and what’s that? Now you are part of some oversized human spider formation come to life?! The sky really is the limit and inspiration is everywhere – in life and on dance floor.
Image Courtesy by Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Napoleon Pictures Limited and Access Films.
9. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
To upgrade your awkward dad dancing, make sure to watch “Napoleon Dynamite”. This dance scene is a reminder that you are the only audience which counts. Don’t worry if you start off with stepping from one foot to the other hands shyly in your pockets. Work your way up to a bold routine. Dance like your body is trying to communicate in a foreign language and don’t forget the jazz hands for extra effect.
Image Courtesy by DC Comics, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Bron Studios, DC Studios, Village Roadshow Pictures and Creative Wealth Media Finance.
10. Joker (2019)
The Joker shows that you don’t need to be a good dancer to show off those main character moves. Confidence is key here. Don’t be afraid to go crazy (dance wise), challenge all your energy into the moment and feel yourself. No matter the optics. Positive side-effect: a little dance intermezzo like this can also be a much welcoming break from reality.