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Beyond My Steps : A Visual delight
By Tsakane Shikwambana
critique
rédigé par Tsakane Shikwambana
publié le 13/10/2020
Tsakane Shikwambana (South African Writer) is a Durban Talent Press Alum (in partnership with Africiné Magazine)
Tsakane Shikwambana (South African Writer) is a Durban Talent Press Alum (in partnership with Africiné Magazine)
Kamy Lara, Angolan film coDirector
Kamy Lara, Angolan film coDirector
Paula Agostinho, Angolan film coDirector and Producer
Paula Agostinho, Angolan film coDirector and Producer
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"Dance is a different kind of work. It's the kind of work that consumes you from the inside."

Every once in a while, a film comes along that reminds you of the beauty and diversity of the African culture. Beyond My Steps (Para Lá dos Meus Passos), an Angolan documentary codirected by Kamy Lara and Paula Agostinho is one of such reminders. The film focuses on five dancers from the Contemporary Dance Company of Angola as they explore concepts, methods of different traditional dances.



Dance is described as "natural" by one of the dancers in this documentary. When a child is born, as he grows up, he will dance and he will sing. This is not an obligation, it's only natural. These traditional dances are often showcased in ceremonies and exhibitions. But what becomes of the dance when performed in more contemporary settings? How does something considered sacred and in tune with nature translate to the modern world of steel, glass, skyscrapers and pollution? Should it evolve as the world did?

Beyond My Steps follows these five dancers as they explore concepts of tradition, culture and identity through interviews and dance performances even as they write their new play. The dancers are passionate about their craft and that same passion is carried and echoes through Lara's execution.

The film almost moves like a theatre performance with interview sections (Act 1), stylised drone footage of the country side VS the city (Act 2) and dance performances in between, an interesting- and impressive- creative choice from the director.

The story is elevated by fascinating archive footage, artistically filmed, of traditional dances in the past that offers a peep into Angola's rich and impressive cultural history.

Instantly captivating from the opening scenes, Beyond My Steps is both cultural history and a redoubtable video essay that highlights the effects of globalisation on African cultural traditions.

Tsakane Shikwambana

This story emanates from the Talent Press, an initiative of Talents Durban in collaboration with the Durban FilmMart and Africiné Magazine. The views of this article reflect the opinions of the film critic, Tsakane Shikwambana.

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