How to Dance in Ohio
| How to Dance in Ohio | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Alexandra Shiva |
| Produced by |
Bari Pearlman Alexandra Shiva Jason Blum |
| Music by | Bryan Senti |
| Cinematography | Laela Kilbourn |
| Edited by | Toby Shimin |
Production company |
Gidalya Pictures Blumhouse Productions |
| Distributed by | HBO Documentary Films |
Release dates |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
How to Dance in Ohio is a 2015 Peabody Award-winning American documentary film directed by Alexandra Shiva. The film follows a group of autistic teenagers in Columbus, Ohio preparing for their first spring formal. They spend 12 weeks practising their social skills in preparation. HBO Documentary Films acquired television rights to the film eleven days before its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.[1] The film premiered on HBO on October 26, 2015.[2] Three young women are the main subjects of the documentary.
Shiva said of the film: "The dance is sweet and the dance is lovely, but the biggest challenge is how do we show you as a viewer that for Marideth to just say ‘Hi,’ that’s an accomplishment?”[3]
Main participants
Marideth
Marideth Bridges is a 16-year-old who spends most of her time at home on her computer learning facts.
Jessica
Jessica Sullivan is a 22-year-old living at home with her parents. She works at a bakery with an autistic workforce. Her best friend is Caroline.
Caroline
Caroline McKenzie is a 19-year-old college student. She has a boyfriend who she met at Dr. Emilio Amigo’s family counselling center and is best friends with Jessica.
Reception
A reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "touching"; remarking, "Compared to other documentaries about the condition, it’s heartening to see one that accentuates the positive so much, showing families where the parents have managed to keep their marriages intact, where no one gets bullied, no one is a savant, and there’s no mention of the debate around vaccines."[4]
References
- ↑ Lang, Brent (January 19, 2015). "Sundance: HBO Nabs 'How to Dance in Ohio'". Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ↑ Kang, Inkoo. "HBO's Upcoming Docs: Autism Portrait 'How to Dance in Ohio,' Urban Portrait 'San Francisco 2.0,' More". Indiewire. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/arts/television/review-how-to-dance-in-ohio-a-documentary-on-hbo-follows-three-women-on-the-autism-spectrum.html?_r=0
- ↑ Felperin, Leslie. "'How to Dance in Ohio': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 February 2015.