The Forbidden Dance
The Forbidden Dance is a 1990 American drama film directed by Greydon Clark and produced by Menahem Golan, starring Laura Harring in her major acting debut as Nisa, a Brazilian princess who travels to Los Angeles to highlight Amazon rainforest deforestation through performances of the sensual Lambada dance.[1] The film depicts Nisa partnering with a local dance instructor to organize Lambada events aimed at influencing corporate policy, blending elements of romance, environmental activism, and dance sequences choreographed to capitalize on the contemporaneous Lambada music fad.[1] Released on March 16, 1990, by Cannon Films, The Forbidden Dance (alternatively titled The Forbidden Dance is Lambada) directly competed with a rival production simply titled Lambada, sparking a legal dispute over trademarks and titles enforced by the Motion Picture Association of America, which barred the use of "Lambada" in the former's marketing.[2] Both films were low-budget endeavors rushed to theaters amid the global popularity of the French-Brazilian band Kaoma's 1989 hit "Lambada," which propelled the dance's visibility despite its roots in northern Brazilian styles like carimbó and maxixe.[3] The picture's portrayal of Lambada as a "forbidden" dance stemmed from promotional hype emphasizing its intimate hip-to-hip contact and entwined leg movements, though claims of historical bans in Brazil or elsewhere have been refuted as legends by music historians.[4] Critically and commercially unsuccessful, with a 4/10 rating on aggregate viewer databases and box office losses for both competing films, The Forbidden Dance nonetheless contributed to the transient Lambada craze in the early 1990s, though its environmental messaging was secondary to exploitative dance scenes.[1] Harring's role marked an early career milestone, preceding her later acclaim in films like Mulholland Drive.[1] The film's legacy lies in exemplifying Hollywood's opportunistic response to international dance trends, prioritizing sensationalism over substantive narrative or cultural accuracy.[2]Background and Context
Origins of the Lambada Craze
The Lambada dance emerged in the late 1980s in northern Brazil, particularly in the state of Pará, as an evolution of the traditional Carimbó rhythm originating from indigenous and African influences in the Amazon region.[5] This style incorporated elements of forró and other local dances, characterized by rapid footwork, hip movements, and close partner proximity that emphasized sensuality.[6] Initially confined to regional festivals and communities, it began attracting broader notice in tourist-heavy areas like Porto Seguro in Bahia state around 1988, where club owners accelerated the tempo and adapted it with Caribbean zouk influences to appeal to international visitors, fostering early local enthusiasm.[3] The global craze ignited in mid-1989 through the release of the single "Lambada" by the French-Brazilian pop group Kaoma, which adapted the melody from the 1981 Bolivian Andean folk song "Llorando se fue" by Los Kjarkas.[7] Launched in July 1989, the track sold more than five million copies worldwide within the year, topping charts in 11 countries including France, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and becoming Europe's best-selling single of 1989.[7] Its music video, featuring vibrant beach scenes and demonstrations of the dance's intimate partnering, amplified visibility, transforming Lambada from a niche Brazilian export into a transnational phenomenon.[3] In France, where Kaoma was based, the song's explosive popularity—reaching number one on the national charts—sparked widespread adoption, with Paris nightclubs hosting dedicated Lambada nights and instructional sessions that drew thousands.[8] This European breakout, fueled by radio airplay and dance competitions, rapidly disseminated the style to the United States and other regions by late 1989, peaking with over 100 Lambada schools reported in France alone and inspiring merchandise sales exceeding millions in units.[8] The craze's momentum, however, stemmed more from commercial promotion than organic Brazilian diffusion, as the dance's "forbidden" allure—due to its provocative closeness—was marketed aggressively despite roots in less sensational regional traditions.[7]Development and Rival Productions
The development of The Forbidden Dance stemmed from the brief Lambada dance fad that peaked in late 1989, prompting producers to rush low-budget films exploiting its popularity. Menahem Golan, after departing Cannon Films amid a partnership split with Yoram Globus, established 21st Century Film Corporation and initiated the project as a quick cash-in, with the screenplay completed in mere days for initial backers Sawmill Entertainment and Columbia Pictures.[2] The film was shot rapidly under director Greydon Clark, emphasizing sensationalized dance sequences and an environmental subplot involving Brazilian rainforests to differentiate it amid the trend.[9] This effort directly rivaled Lambada (1990), produced by Globus at the remnants of Cannon Films, where both ex-partners independently greenlit competing pictures following their 1989 acrimonious divorce of the company they co-founded in the 1970s. The Lambada production, directed by Joel Silberg and budgeted around $4 million, centered on a teacher using the dance to motivate inner-city students, filmed in six weeks to beat the craze's fade.[10] Tensions escalated when Cannon secured MPAA title rights to "Lambada," forcing The Forbidden Dance—originally subtitled "...is Lambada"—to drop the term, though its marketing still invoked the dance explicitly.[11] Both films debuted theatrically on March 16, 1990, reflecting personal spite between Golan and Globus rather than coordinated strategy, with Lambada outperforming at the box office due to stronger distribution ties.[12] Additional Lambada-themed projects were announced by studios like Warner Bros. and Orion, but none materialized significantly beyond these dueling efforts.[13]Synopsis
Plot Summary
Nisa, a princess from an indigenous Brazilian tribe in the Amazon rainforest, travels to Los Angeles to halt the destruction of her homeland by the Pemtranco corporation, which plans to dam rivers and clear forests for industrial development.[14][15] Accompanied by her tribe's shaman, Joa, Nisa arrives penniless and faces immediate challenges, including Joa's arrest by authorities; she then accepts a position as a maid in the affluent Anderson household to sustain herself.[14][16] In the household, Nisa encounters Jason Anderson, the family's son and an aspiring dancer, who discovers her exceptional skill in the Lambada—a sensual Brazilian dance known as the "forbidden dance"—and learns of her environmental mission against Pemtranco.[14][17] Inspired, Jason partners with Nisa to enter a high-profile Lambada dance contest broadcast nationally, aiming to use the platform to publicly denounce Pemtranco's practices and rally support for the rainforest.[14][1] Their efforts draw opposition from Jason's jealous ex-girlfriend Ashley and Benjamin Maxwell, a Pemtranco executive seeking to suppress the protest, leading to sabotage attempts that test their resolve.[14] Ultimately, Nisa and Jason prevail in the audition, captivating audiences with their performance and successfully exposing the corporation's threat during the televised event, thereby advancing Nisa's cause.[14][15]Cast and Characters
The principal role of Nisa, a Brazilian princess from the Amazon who travels to Los Angeles to protest rainforest destruction by performing the lambada, is played by Laura Harring (credited as Laura Herring in some releases).[18][19] Jeff James portrays Jason Anderson, a wealthy American Lambada dancer and love interest who assists Nisa in her campaign.[18][20] Supporting characters include Barbra Brighton as Ashley Wells, Jason's initial romantic partner and a fellow dancer; Miranda Garrison as Mickey, a choreographer involved in the Lambada scenes; and Angela Moya as Carmen, Nisa's companion.[18][19] Sid Haig appears as Joa, a local figure aiding Nisa, while Richard Lynch plays Benjamin Maxwell, the corporate executive antagonizing the environmental efforts.[18] Shannon Farnon and Linden Chiles depict Katherine and Senator William Anderson, Jason's mother and father, respectively, representing affluent American society.[18][19]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Laura Harring | Nisa | Brazilian princess protesting rainforest exploitation via Lambada performances.[18] |
| Jeff James | Jason Anderson | American dancer allying with Nisa against corporate interests.[18] |
| Barbra Brighton | Ashley Wells | Jason's dancer girlfriend, involved in social and romantic subplots.[18] |
| Sid Haig | Joa | Supportive ally to Nisa in Los Angeles.[18] |
| Richard Lynch | Benjamin Maxwell | Antagonist, head of the company endangering the Amazon.[18][19] |