HOT SPRINGS DOCUMENTARY FF INTERVIEW: Khadifa Wong talks about her film, UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE

Khadifa Wong’s UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE is an entertaining, and I hesitate to say (because of the negative connotations of the word when it comes to watching movies) educational, exploration of jazz dance’s history and influences and meaning since the beginning of this country’s history.

Debbie Allen talks about Patrick Swayze’s mom and others that led the way for her. (UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE)

Afro Latin Fusion class at Ailey Extension NYC (UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE)

I am a former dancer, so I am a natural audience for the film. However, I feel very comfortable in saying you don’t need to have that direct connection to dance to enjoy the film and get into it.

Kaja Irwin, Sabrina Comanescu, and Natasha Korney of DJD (UPROOTED:
THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE)

Chita Rivera and Graciela Daniele lay down some knowledge of those that preceded them in the world of dance. (UPROOTED: THE JOURNEY OF JAZZ DANCE)

In the interview, Khadifa and I talk about the insane number of people – really KEY people they got to do interviews for the film, the importance of Patrick Swayze’s mom as an influence on jazz dance in this country, and the approach of making the film via a dancer’s perspective visually, and through choreography, as well as how having an editor with a little distance from the subject can help protect filmmakers from overindulging their “favorite” parts or interests in service of the film’s whole.