Only When I Dance

The International Diaspora Film Festival, featuring movies from filmmakers living and working outside their countries of origin, brought us the Canadian premiere of this documentary about two young ballet dancers living in the Brazilian favelas on the verge of becoming international stars.

Documentarist Beadie Finzi, director of the excellent Unknown White Male, handles race and class issues within the dance world context with an expert verve and weaves a powerful narrative out of the lives of these innately talented but impoverished kids and their selflessly helpful families. A touching movie for anyone who's ever had to leave home and a rare glimpse into the lives of honest people who live in the favelas.