Check Your Body at the Door

Check Your Body at the Door is a fascinating 2012 documentary that plunges its viewers into the vibrant, energetic, and diverse world of underground house dance culture of New York City, during the '90s. The film features two core figures of the house music and dance scene, Willi Ninja and Archie Burnett, among others, who are acknowledged as pioneers and influencers in this genre.

Directed by Sally Sommer, this documentary underscores the journey of house dancers, focusing primarily on their practice sessions, social get-togethers, and the pivotal clubs where they display their talent. The film lifelike sketch out the hidden landscape of this underground culture, successfully infusing life into dance, which is not just art, but a lifestyle, a form of self-expression, and a source of freedom for the participants.

Willi Ninja, often termed the "Godfather of Vogue," is an influential figure who transcends dance boundaries, enthralling viewers with his voguing style. The documentary examines Ninja's approach to vogue, a unique dance form originating from the African American and Latinx gay and transgender communities, and his role in bringing it into mainstream culture. Similarly, Archie Burnett, with his nonconformist and vibrant personality, explores freestyle and whacking dance styles, setting the stage ablaze with his raw energy and fluid, seemingly-effortless moves.

Check Your Body at the Door allows its audience a glimpse into the dancers' lives beyond the radiant club lights. It sketches a realistic picture of their daily routines and the challenges they encounter. Their seemingly ordinary day jobs act as the backdrop against which their extraordinary dancing abilities and their commitment to the art form stand out starkly. Despite these dancers' immersion in conventional daily lives during the day, their nights are an intense journey of soulful expression, a quest for identity, personal connection, and escape.

The director effectively weaves in the dancers' personal narratives with their artistic journeys, providing a comprehensive overview of the house dance realm. The film explores how dance extends beyond just an entertainment form to a representation of socio-cultural realities, personal narratives, and a genuinely therapeutic escape.

Filmed predominantly in NYC's club scene, Check Your Body at the Door perfectly captures the essence of iconic clubs like the Sound Factory, the Shelter, and the Loft. Each club is not merely a performance arena but a home to dancers who gather to express, interact, learn, and grow. The camera work echoes the immediateness of the underground scene, capturing the raw energy that surges within these spaces and the intricate, improvised movements of house dancing.

The film also delves into the multicultural meeting point that these clubs represent. People from different racial, socio-economic, and gender backgrounds unify on the dance floor, erasing the class and racial barriers existent outside. Here, dance becomes a common language, a shared experience transcending all prejudices.

Check Your Body at the Door even delves into the psychological aspects of dance, connecting with the dancers' emotions and their mental states. The dancers' candid interviews offer an insight into how their personal and emotional experiences get translated into their dance movements. Yet, despite facing various struggles, their enthusiasm for house dancing remains unscathed.

The documentary melds in soundscapes of house music, threading through interviews, voiceovers, and dance sequences. It elucidates how house music’s pulsating rhythms help these dancers find their distinctive styles and achieve a precision that is seamlessly layered within their freestyling techniques.

Check Your Body at the Door is a tribute to the human spirit's resilience, a captivating exploration of how daily life and art intermingle and shape personalities and lives. It's not merely a film about dance but about real people channeling their passion into a powerful means of expression. The emotive storytelling, inspiring figures, and resonant dance sequences make this documentary an engaging watch for those fascinated by dance and for anyone interested in witnessing a vibrant subculture's human side.