Uprooted - The Journey of Jazz Dance

This feature-length documentary celebrates the African history, lineage, and progressions of American jazz dance through a fast-moving kaleidoscope of movement and music. Dancer-turned-filmmaker Khadifa Wong traces the evolution of this incredible dance genre from its slavery-era roots through to Hollywood, hip-hop, and beyond. She explores its political and social influences while addressing topics such as appropriation, racism, socialism, and sexism. This enriching correction to the official story of jazz dance features potent insights from acclaimed dancers, choreographers, and scholars including Debbie Allen, Chita Rivera, and Al Blackstone, plus the works of Pepsi Bethel, Bob Fosse, and Gene Kelly.