How to Dance in Ohio

How to Dance in Ohio
Directed by Alexandra Shiva
Produced by Bari Pearlman
Alexandra Shiva
Jason Blum
Music by Bryan Senti
Cinematography Laela Kilbourn
Edited by Toby Shimin
Production
company
Gidalya Pictures
Blumhouse Television
Distributed by HBO Documentary Films
Release date
  • January 25, 2015 (2015-01-25) (Sundance Film Festival)
  • October 26, 2015 (2015-10-26) (United States)
Country United States
Language English

How to Dance in Ohio is a 2015 Peabody Award-winning American documentary film directed by Alexandra Shiva. The film follows a group of autistic teenagers in Columbus, Ohio preparing for their first spring formal. They spend 12 weeks practising their social skills in preparation. HBO Documentary Films acquired television rights to the film eleven days before its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.[1] The film premiered on HBO on October 26, 2015.[2] Three young women are the main subjects of the documentary.

Shiva said of the film: "The dance is sweet and the dance is lovely, but the biggest challenge is how do we show you as a viewer that for Marideth to just say ‘Hi,’ that’s an accomplishment?”[3]

Main participants

Marideth

Marideth Bridges is a 16-year-old who spends most of her time at home on her computer learning facts.

Jessica

Jessica Sullivan is a 22-year-old living at home with her parents. She works at a bakery with an autistic workforce. Her best friend is Caroline.

Caroline

Caroline McKenzie is a 19-year-old college student. She has a boyfriend who she met at Dr. Emilio Amigo’s family counselling center and is best friends with Jessica.

Reception

A reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "touching"; remarking, "Compared to other documentaries about the condition, it’s heartening to see one that accentuates the positive so much, showing families where the parents have managed to keep their marriages intact, where no one gets bullied, no one is a savant, and there’s no mention of the debate around vaccines."[4]

References

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