The Artist” launches a tap-dancing revival” | M6 | 66 minutes

With its 5 Oscars, the French silent film “The Artist” has not only conquered movie theatres (15 million tickets sold world-wide). It has also re-launched an activity that was considered definitely bygone: tap dancing. When they saw Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo perform a 3-minute dance routine in the 1930s style of Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, many young people wanted to take it up and classes are now full. Because tap dancing is both a not-too-sporty physical discipline and a musical activity. We now see young tap dancers inspired by urban culture, from hip-hop to the golden days of the Hollywood musicals in granddad’s time.