Clip description
At the Pan Pacific championships, Doug Hastings (Barry Otto) starts a handclap in support of son Scott (Paul Mercurio) and his partner Fran (Tara Morice). Scott and Fran give a thrilling exhibition of their rule-breaking paso doble. The crowd goes wild.
Curator’s notes
This is the moment of truth in Strictly Ballroom. Scott and Fran have been disqualified by conservative judges after refusing to dance by the rules. The stunned silence of the crowd is broken by Scott’s father, Doug. Until now he has been bullied by dance officials and dominated by his wife. He becomes the mouse who roars by standing alone in support of his son. His courage inspires Paul, who takes Fran on the dance of their lives. It is the validation of the new and the casting out of the old guard, as seen in the shot of Barry Fife falling over the trophy table. Scott’s former partner Liz restores her pride by reconnecting the power that had been cut when Scott and Fran had started dancing. Steve Mason’s kinetic, colour-drenched cinematography and Angus Strathie’s dazzling costumes are seen at their best in this sequence.