Save the Last Dance/How She Move (DVD)

Double bill of dance-related dramas. In 'Save the Last Dance' (2001), would-be ballerina Sara (Julia Stiles) is forced to abandon her dancing plans when she leaves her smalltown home and moves to live with her estranged father in the dangerous South Side of Chicago. As a white girl in a predominantly black neighbourhood, Sara finds it a struggle to settle in, but when she meets black fellow-dancer Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) she begins to feel much happier. The two set out together to realise their dreams, but as their relationship develops it brings forth major opposition from both their friends and their families, putting their future as a couple in jeopardy. 'How She Move' (2007) is a coming-of-age drama about a young woman who battles against the odds to achieve her dreams. Following the death of her drug-addicted sister, high school student Raya (Rutina Wesley) is then forced to leave her private medical school and return to her old, crime-filled neighbourhood. In order to raise enough to pay her tuition fees and return to school, Raya decides to enter an upcoming step-dancing competition, with prize money of $50,000 up for grabs. Raya uses her impressive dance moves to earn a place in her good friend Bishop (Dwain Murphy)'s team. However, the ambitious dancer is kicked off the team for showing off during a preliminary competition. Now, if Raya has any hope of realising her dreams, she will have to regain Bishop's trust.