Documenting the Global City 2014: Dama Dance 广场舞

Film by Yang Yinglong 扬盈龙 and Anna Romano

In public spaces across Beijing, people, mostly middle aged women, have taken to dancing. Dancers share what they enjoy about dancing. Some of the dancers share memories of dancing as part of the political campaigns of the Mao era (1949-1976). Not everyone, though, is a fan of the dancing in the park.

It was produced as part of a unique collaboration between USC’s School for Cinematic Arts and the Communication University of China’s School of Theater, Film and Television. The program began in 2006 and alternates between Los Angeles and Beijing. Students pair up with a partner from the other school and have just a few weeks to produce their short documentaries. Click here for more information and to see the complete list of films produced in summer 2014.

This video is also available on the USCI YouTube Channel.

Other films from the program: 

Leftover Park  相亲公园
Li Hongpei 李红霈 and Craig David Smith

Once Upon a Time in the East  鼓楼牛仔
Zhang Chenzi  张晨子 and Andrew Vasquez

To the Quarry and Back  芸芸狗生
Lu Xi  卢西 and Eddie Mattola

Tiny Wings  微小应翅膀
Chen Xuanying 陈渲颖  and Rachel Victoria Byrd

The Boundary  边界
Zhang Ye 张烨  and Ge Yufan  葛雨凡