I couldn’t be happier about the recent rise in the number of films featuring seniors and baby boomers. It’s about time we bring more silver to the so-called silver screen! Census 2010 is just around the corner, and while I’m no statistician, it’s safe to say the numbers will show that baby boomers and seniors make up a much larger percentage of our population than ever before. So really, filmmakers, there’s no excuse anymore. The challenges, victories, histories, and experiences of this age cohort will provide interesting, exciting, funny, sad, romantic and inspirational material for years to come…the stuff movies (and real life) are made of.

Set for release in LA on Friday, August 21^st, Gotta Dance has already won dozens of awards and has drawn rave reviews from critics and audiences everywhere. Check the website to find out when it hits your local screen.

So what’s it all about?  I couldn’t put it any better than the Gotta Dance website:

“Who says you can’t hip-hop if you’re 80-years-old? Who says your days as a performer are long gone? Who says you can’t shake things up and light up a jam-packed sports arena with your hot moves and cool attitude? Just because you’re a card-carrying member of AARP, do you have to give up on your dreams?

No. You don’t. Absolutely not.

GOTTA DANCE is BAD NEWS BEARS morphed into the flip side of MAD HOT BALLROOM.

GOTTA DANCE the movie chronicles the debut of the New Jersey Nets’ first-ever senior hip-hop dance team, 12 women and 1 man – all dance team newbies, from auditions through to center court stardom.

As smooth dance moves are perfected and performed in front of thousands, aging myths and misperceptions are pulverized.

Despite swollen ankles, exhausting rehearsals, fashion clashes and seemingly impossible dance steps, the NETSational Seniors go for it, spreading joy, inspiration and cool dance moves as they hip-hop their way into the hearts of Nets fans and beyond.”

Wow. I cannot wait to see this movie. I’m already jealous of the contestants’ ability on the Fox hit “So You Think You Can Dance” – I can only imagine what seeing this movie will do for my dance esteem. But I also know that it makes me smile to see seniors and boomers “pulverizing aging myths and misperceptions,” so I have no doubt that I’ll be grinning from ear to ear. Check it out…

Visit the website to find out everything you need to know about this exciting documentary, including information on hosting your own screening, making a donation, or sharing the film with your social networks. You can also pre-order the DVD or buy your very own Gotta Dance jersey.

What a great opportunity for grandparents, parents and grandkids to enjoy a movie together too – get your tickets now!

– Michelle Seitzer