Routes

Simple in its featurette format it may be, but this low-budget digital documentary by young Brit Alex Reuben is sexy, funny, socio-politically spot-on and thrillingly alert and alive in its presentation of popular American music and dance.

It begins in a city square with a pair of feet pounding to the sound of folk fiddles; by the time he’s travelled down to New Orleans, Reuben’s shared with us his infectious love of the music and dance of traditional white American religious folk, native Americans, black cheerleaders, zydeco dance halls, Mardi Gras parades and more besides.

 There’s no dialogue or voiceover, and just enough road-movie footage to offer a sense of place, space and economic state of health. But Reuben conveys so much through unshowy yet evocative camerawork and cutting that his film is joyous and exhilarating throughout. Quite possibly the finest dance film since Robert Altman’s ‘The Company’, and a real treat.