01-07-2015, 10:45 AM
It's the story of the 2010 World Irish Dance Championship!
No sword fights. No blood shed. No foul language. Just little girls and boys dancing in weird outfits, slathered in too much makeup, and wearing outrageous wigs. You could almost think you stumbled into a feature length version of Toddlers and Tiaras.
I've never really understood the Irish Dance phenomena despite the fact we've had troops of them dancing at the Saratoga Manor. It just looks like a bunch of hopping and tapping and why don't they move there arms for God's sake? WHY?
Despite this, I put the Movie 'Jig' into the Netflix queue. Over the weekend, I thought I would watch it for a few minutes and then put it in the dust bin without a seconds thought. But the film is oddly compelling. It's like watching members of this cult that is draining all the money from their bank accounts. They speak of things lost in this pursuit to be the best Irish Dancers. And the winner of the World Champions only receives a trophy. I don't think there is any money involved. And yet, these kids love it. They spend hours doing it. And if they aren't dancing, they are using there fingers to tap out the steps.
I think the biggest eye opener for me from the film was how wide-spread is the cult of Irish Dancing. The film covered a Sri Lankan from Holland, a complete troop from Moscow, and a ten year old from New Jersey. There was even one family, where the father gave up a lucrative Doctor's practice in California, moved the family to England to be closer to a better Irish Dance School.
All said, it was an engrossing movie. You wanted to find out how these kids do at the tournament. Their stories of struggle are heartbreaking. Who knew looking at a tote board could be enthralling as you waited to see who ultimately wins.
I'm alone on this, aren't I?
No sword fights. No blood shed. No foul language. Just little girls and boys dancing in weird outfits, slathered in too much makeup, and wearing outrageous wigs. You could almost think you stumbled into a feature length version of Toddlers and Tiaras.
I've never really understood the Irish Dance phenomena despite the fact we've had troops of them dancing at the Saratoga Manor. It just looks like a bunch of hopping and tapping and why don't they move there arms for God's sake? WHY?
Despite this, I put the Movie 'Jig' into the Netflix queue. Over the weekend, I thought I would watch it for a few minutes and then put it in the dust bin without a seconds thought. But the film is oddly compelling. It's like watching members of this cult that is draining all the money from their bank accounts. They speak of things lost in this pursuit to be the best Irish Dancers. And the winner of the World Champions only receives a trophy. I don't think there is any money involved. And yet, these kids love it. They spend hours doing it. And if they aren't dancing, they are using there fingers to tap out the steps.
I think the biggest eye opener for me from the film was how wide-spread is the cult of Irish Dancing. The film covered a Sri Lankan from Holland, a complete troop from Moscow, and a ten year old from New Jersey. There was even one family, where the father gave up a lucrative Doctor's practice in California, moved the family to England to be closer to a better Irish Dance School.
All said, it was an engrossing movie. You wanted to find out how these kids do at the tournament. Their stories of struggle are heartbreaking. Who knew looking at a tote board could be enthralling as you waited to see who ultimately wins.
I'm alone on this, aren't I?
So much for the flickr badge idea. Dammit
