Love and Dance
As an addition to the newest collection of Amharic films, a new Holly-wood type hip-hop dancing drama seems to be cathing the attention of young film-goers.The acrobatic dancing, corresponding instant love messages through e-mail, and a father surprising his daughter on her birthday by bringing the best pianist of the country to his house would seem to make the film a remote experience for most Ethiopians, except for few upper middle class people.
Despite all that, director, scriptwriter and acor, Berhane Negussie achieves more of what he aimed to do than his underwritten screenplay wouls seem to justify.
His debut film gives an illuminating look at Addi’s youth culture and a remarkable sense of energy, capturing the raw power of dancing.It was said that the crew had spent a year and eight months practising the dance to give the film a real and authentic feeling.This indicates the hard work and passion Berhane puts in to it.Not surprisigly, most of the running time is occupied depicting hip-hop dance beats.
But it has also more than dancing.It shows the innocence of a young girl who tries to forge relationships with her father’s dance student.The modest and unassuming boy wasn’t aware of her love and kept on going his class and life, giving her no attention.
But she was detemined to get him , doing whtever it takes.
The other dance group member, an ear-wearing and bragging type tries his utmost to make her his own.But to no avail.
At times she looks more of an idealized lover than a living.
The film records the minute details of their lives to evoke the larger context in which these lives are led.It gives you an insight into the young’s dreams of fame ,fortune and showbiz salvation.
The father , who is a patient and endearing figure, goes through a constant strugle to make sure that his dance students equally give attention to thier school,too.On one occasion, his hopes went wrong and the child’s mother came to him , angry and furious, after seeing her child’s school result.
But with engaing depth and consummate skill, he manages to overcome those problems.
There are happy monents, moments of great strengthand moment of foolish weakness.
There aren’t big name actors in the cast, except for Samvod.From time to time, he brings glimmers of a charater to the screen.But the others weren’t that satisfactory.
In addition to dancing lesons, acting lessons would seem to be in order.
Otherwise, it’s a good film.Give it a chance.
I will watch this movie and come back with comments.
i can say for sure without watching the movie that it is going to have long unnecessary scenes most probably the dancing part!
i will not watch another ethiopian movie …better yet even Hollywood movies unless the review is great am sick and tired of renting a movie and seeing the same stuff from hollwood over and over again and lucking story depth from ethiopian movies.
i saw 11th hour and i was board to death! were does one get such a script …. who writes something like that …the dialogue am no expert but i tell you i can write better dialogues.
anyways chill people.
So nice to meet you .
EYOEL
I have watched Love & Dance, a film by Berhane Negussie. I found it very interesting. For me it wasn’t just about love and dance… It has a lot more.
I really loved it, and hope Berhane will keep on working in the film industry so that we can watch other good movies.
You guys should watch it.
hey ! I’ve read your movie review and i’ve shown it friends .They loved what you have done.Arefe, how’s it that you do the preview in just few days after the release of the movie? I think you should take this up as a career.
plz write me eyasu
*sigh* I haven’t watched Birhane’s film and never intend to (your review hasn’t made me change my mind for the better, sowwy). But you can read my review on “Hermela” at: http://abesheet.blogspot.com/ if you found yourself lucky to be able to log in. Good job, by the way (the website); keep it up!
Guess what today I met Samvod. OMG I live in US he came to YMCA where I work. I don’t even know him. He asked me to show around and I showed him everything. And then he told me that he is famous. We talked he is a great guy. Wow I never met anyone famous to be so nice. He is a great guy and promised me to get his CD.
samvod is the best actor & singer in ethiopa . he is so cool & handsome.
he did his part well .and that’s the best movie i never seen like this in ethiopia before
hay guys blive me or not samvod is hear in L.A i saw him yesterday….
i luv him so muchhhhhhhhhh. & i saw his movie when i was ethiopia he is sogreat.
Goddammm that is so great to have a file director like u B.
i love your movie keep it upup
I saw it I like it is a good starting in our film industry.
Hey Wazzup!
It’s me SAMVOD arrived in LA August 26th and appearing October 7th at BB Kings nightclub, Universal City Walk.
Look forward to seeeing all the “Love and Dance” film fans.
Peace out….
Hi sami
U did it!! on “love & Dance”
Hello, our film directors and actors, I think u guys perform well than it was, Samvod u do better than u did for Yeberdo Zemen, So I’m feelin’ cool. Nigusse I think u r about to be good director, I think its coz u watch a lot movies, please give me some anttetion and tellin’ how to act, how to direcct, I know u r busy but just mail me.
A message to Sami, I wanna join u 0ctobor7 at the club, but tell me the location. and I want u to meet u in mail, please mail me or give me ur mail(abelhabesh@gmail.com)
i just checked out the samvod video…typical…can you be original man? i think style should be copyright protected. Why do u promote the wrong culture in ethiopia. Throwing ur girl into the pool is not soooo coool. The educated women are trying to minimize the incidences of abused women in ethiopia and here u r promoting it. seriously, man its not kool to promote such a video. i m sure if u sit down and think u can come up with a lot of good protrayals of women in addis. besides i think ethiopian guys are the most flirtatious, cheaters out there to be found in the face of the earth and they still complain about being cheated on. so not cool….
I don’t see why corresponding instant love message through e-mail would be a remote experience for Ethiopians.There are many out there who chat online.
hey dude i just love ur song dam i love it just like :O wow
hey samvod keep in pop ok i just lve uuuuuuuuuuuuu and whan you gon come to AUSTERALIA plzz we need uuuuuuu ok baby plzzzzzzzz
can u do this 4 abesheet grl i need u ok.
and if u can plz sand me ok here is my mail.
Hi sami how y i like you so much your”love & dance”the best film
on me pleac mail me
is it out on dvd yet???
it was in cinema wen i was in ethiopia
I loved Camparada
Hello sami, I read your story n its very touchy, i think you are lucky to be where you are at the moment.. if you know what i mean.
Anyways, I love to see “Love & Dance” film everybody is talking about it, i’m sure it’s good. Is it out on DVD yet? because I live down under, Australia.
tyh
hey sam u did such a good movie i never thought u will become famous coz all i can remeber is the old samy in meseret hiwot…..any ways keep in touh.
soz but i heat u so much u want fit at all
Why dont u keep diong so on recent movies? There is so much lack of information on movies so please keep on doing so!!!!!!
Thanks for the comment.I will.
5IvUc4 hi great site thx http://peace.com
Isn’t it funny when someone tells you that he is famous!
Betam yasafiral!
Okay sorry am a little late..But i just want to know what is this love and dance movie..
Did it just come out or somthing..like i never really heard of it..sorry..could someone plz tell me..thankz.
hey berhane where did u get that gurl from she is so ………u nme it.
i didnt know that habeshan gurls got this big fat………….u name it!!!
any wayz all am trien 2 say is ur movie is thy i love it.
i might come over some time soon to watch more habeshan movie
but i wanchu 2 du me a favo would u pls tell me z gurl real name and add…?????????
but i dont want her dad 2 b like what he used 2 b in z movie lol!!!!!!!
cuz i dont wanna kicked out frm ma team!!
hi fekir and dans love vrmac konju ne
cool
i like your move but u talk too much so please keep down your talking
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