Synopsis

Ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine volunteers to teach detention students at a troubled New York high school. Initially dismissive and divided by clashing personalities, the teenagers gradually respond to his discipline and encouragement. As they learn traditional ballroom techniques, they combine them with hip-hop influences and prepare for a prestigious dance competition, discovering new confidence and respect along the way.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was inspired by the real-life work of Pierre Dulaine, who introduced ballroom dancing to students in New York City public schools through the Dancing Classrooms program.

• Dulaine personally worked with the young performers to help them perform the dance movements accurately.

• Antonio Banderas initially rejected the project after learning that it centered on ballroom dancing. He changed his mind after hearing more about Dulaine's story, watching a documentary about him, and meeting him.

• Although the story is set in New York City, most of the production took place in Toronto, including filming at the University of Toronto and the Lower Bay subway station.

• Dante Basco was 31 when he played high school student Ramos.

• Banderas and Laura Benanti had previously appeared together in the 2003 Broadway revival of "Nine." Banderas received a Tony Award nomination for that production.

• The television cartoon shown in the film is the 1944 Terrytoons short "Wolf! Wolf!" featuring Mighty Mouse. The short is in the public domain.