An entertaining romantic comedy sets ideals of true love and dedication to performance excellence in context of a street dance competition and hip-hop music. Producer, director and writer Berhane Negussie makes his film debut, although he is already well known for TV and radio music and entertainment programmes, restless energy and wide love for Ethiopian music and culture.

The story is of a dedicated coach training his Live Dance troupe to perfection to beat off Addis Dance troupe and reach an African dance competition in South Africa, but rule #1 is to keep away from his lovely daughter Samrawit. Top dancer and lady's man/playa, Tadele, gives his best efforts (and some dirty tricks) to winning her and also falls foul of some schemes himself.. But let’s not give too much of the story away. The film promises entertainment and joy and has English sub-titles for the Amharically-challenged.

The cast spent 18 months training to reach good enough dance standards for Berhane. Stars are singer-dancer Samvod, Bertukan Befekadu (playing Samrawit), Girum Melkamu (Sammy, the true object of her affection) and Getaneh Tehaye, who also provided the inspired choreography. There’s even a guest appearance from Haile Gebreselassie.

The music includes unique compositions by Jonny Ragga and tracks by “father of Ethio-Jazz” Mulatu Astateke (currently enjoying a revival of interest in UK), Girma Yisfrashew and Hunante Mulu.

Berhane’s own history is as a tourist guide, infotainment magazine editor and publisher and radio and tv presenter and producer. He said financing the film was the toughest, but the film bug has hit hard and he’s already working on the next project. Meanwhile, catch this new gem every Friday at Alem cinema.

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 was Just thinking, http://arefe.wordpress.com )