Rize

Rize shows, too briefly, that krump emerges from and reflects historical circumstances, from the 1965 Watts riots, through the economic downturns of the '80s, and the 1992 uprising. The subculture plainly draws from hip-hop, breakdancing, ballet, modern dance, clowning traditions, and transgender and skateboard innovations. Like other forms of expression for exploited or minority communities, krump has become mainstream, most visibly in music videos. Krump is rooted in L.A., and its purveyors are protective of its politics.

Amid its exhilarating dance sequences and talking heads (who range from earnest to wry, cocky to grateful), the film shows older dancers' efforts to keep young beginners in school and off the streets. The movie also suggests that art is an effective and ongoing response to oppression. While the film's organization is fragmented (some connections are left unexplored), it's a useful introduction to krumping. Featuring extraordinary bodies and photographer LaChapelle's signature intensity, Rize is most emphatically a display of artists, as they think their way past all kinds of limits and celebrate their skills.