A Step Forward

This little gem is quite simply a celebration of the human spirit. To describe it as a documentary which chronicles the experience of 20 adults with disabilities as they progress through a 12 week university dance class would completely miss the essence of this modest, powerful video. The style is reminiscent of public television before the fundraisers started to outnumber their showings of It's a Wonderful Life; important without being self-important, and sincere without trying too hard to be. There is not a false moment nor any hint of patronizing in the video's message, which is that when people with disabilities are allowed to focus instead on their abilities, everyone triumphs. The final segment in which the class members perform an original interpretive dance to a real theater audience rings true as Sunday supper. 'Tis a gift to be simple, indeed. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Cichewicz)