MOVIE REVIEW: As Jy Sing

GENRE: Afrikaans musical

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour 51 minutes

STARRING: Bobby van Jaarsveld (Liefling), Bok van Blerk (Platteland), Karlien van Jaarsveld (Platteland), Robbie Wessels (Poena is Koning), Leah

DIRECTED BY: André Odendaal (Lien se Lankstaanskoene)

RATING:

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor Northgate.

PLOT: Several pupils from Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg are on their way to compete in a singing competition; but the majority of the school, including the principal (Robbie Wessels), is not exactly excited about this trip. In this school, sport outweighs culture.

However, this does not stop the singers from the group known as Die Bekfluitjies, to follow their passion. The principal wants to sabotage the group’s tour and sends one of the school’s teachers (Leah) to distract the singing teacher (Bobby van Jaarsveld). The school bus is not available for this excursion and Die Bekfluitjies must find alternative transport. They eventually arrive at a camp where they are treated as if they were in the army. This is all the principal’s doing.

THE GOOD: The film emphasises the importance of culture. It illustrates how music is able to unite people, using the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies as an example, as well as the singing of the national anthems before large sport matches. As a whole the movie destroys the school stereotype of “sport is king”.

THE BAD: The acting is poor and most of the film is totally unrealistic. Why would a school principal (with such extreme measures) break down his pupils? Surely a school principal would want the best for his school?

VERDICT: The concept as well as the underlying message is not bad. It sticks to the format of many musicals, such as High School Musical, Glee and even Liefling. Although not totally disappointing, many aspects of the script were totally unrealistic and a lot of the content is ridiculous.

*Thanks to Ster-Kinekor Northgate for making the review possible.