Hear Me Move

Whether it is Antonio Banderas taking the lead, Kevin Bacon’s flips and tricks or Patrick Swayze’s climatic lift who can resist a good dance film. Indeed, the Step Up franchise alone has generated over 600 million dollars worldwide. Now there is a new contender for the accolade of best dance film. Hear Me Move hit cinemas in South Africa on 27 February to great critical acclaim. A marriage of traditional African moves, Hip-Hop dancing and a roller-coaster of a plot, this is the first ever sbujwa dance movie. Following the story of Muzi a young student from Johannesburg, who is leading a double life after the death of his father, Spikiri, the film explores South Africa’s rich dance culture. Although he has promised his mother to give up dancing, Muzi is drawn to the city’s underground hip-hop clubs. Upon rediscovering his father’s dance partner Shoes, Muzi is recruited into the Sbujwa Nation dance crew as they prepare to face Ambishn, led by former Sbujwa Nation principle and Muzi’s rival Prince, at the Hear Me Move finals. For what dance film is complete without a good old fashion dance battle? Muzi’s non-conformist dance style and blossoming love affair with Khanyi causes friction in the group. When Prince however, tries to steal a tape detailing Spikiri’s top secret moves, leaving Shoes hospitalised it is up to Muzi to reunite the group and take Prince head on. While choreographer Paul Modjadi makes sure he pays his respects to Hip-Hop and Pantuala, which are a big part of the South African dance scene the film is predominantly a homage to Sbujwa. Invented in the mid-1990s by young experimental dancers in Soweta, Sbujwa is a free-style dance which incorporates elements of Hip-Hop, Jive and Pantuala. By 2000 it had been merged with house music to create its own distinctive identity. Energetic and every-changing it requires ‘every muscle in your body to work in order to complete the moves’. In a bid for authenticity the characters are played mainly by dancers and amongst the cast are world famous dance crews the Reptiles, Revolution and Freeze Frame. Aside from love and rivalries, Hear Me Move is also a serious attempt to challenge audience’s preconceptions about South Africa and exhibit the countries’ move away from its history towards global excellence. As a result it demonstrates the very best of South Africa’s dancing talent making it an unmissable film.