Jiva! From Umlazi to your screen.

 

First thing first let's set the record straight the marketing for Jiva! Was not the best, prior to the release, there was no hype. I only found out about Jiva! Four days before it was released, while searching for music on YouTube the ad popped up, and I fell in love with the trailer, the choice of music, the dancing; it felt like a groove.

Compared to the others Netflix South Africa released. The Jiva! Advertising was not on par, Less marketing campaigns usually led to one or two things, one the budget allocated for the marketing was low, two the people in charge did not have any expectations for the project, I’ll go for the former Jiva! Is an awesome series. My name is Drey. Next to me is a hot cup of Burundi organic coffee. Let me try to complete the article before the Cape Town cold front turns my hot beverage into ice. Shall we?  

Jiva!  

Is about a street dancer from Umlazi, Durban township juggling a dead-end job, family duties, and a rocky love life realizing her moves are her ticket out of the struggle. A story each of us can relate to, especially the rocky love life and the family duties, certainly I can. 

For those of you who are not aware, Jiva is a South Africa slang word which translates to dancing, made popular by R&B singer Chomee, 2007 hit song Jiva Sexy. The series does not disappoint with the dancing, if you are a fan of the genre then you are in for a treat.

 

Jiva! trailer

The series is written by South African veteran Busisiwe Ntintili who wrote the 2016 movie Happiness is a 4-Letter Word fun fact that was the last time I was in a cinema to watch a local film. She shares the script credit with Bakang Sebatjane who is well known for her writing gigs on SABC 3 iconic drama soapie Isidingo. Behind the camera we find a trio partnership of award-winning director Mmabatho Montsho, Mandla Dube as the cinematographer (my favorite cinematographer on the continent by far, he caught my attention in the 2016 biopic Kalushi, also on Netflix, the final act of the movie, the courtroom scene till this day gives me goosebumps), and Scottnes L. Smith who I do not know much about. 

Just reading the names above, Jiva! Should be a hit, no-brainer right? Channel24 gave it a 3/5 score and IMDb rating is 5.7/10.  A five episode series, each episode lasting an average of 40 minutes, it can easily be a bench watch, especially on a weekend, just like I did.

We are introduced to Ntombi played by Noxolo Dlamini, Miss Dlamini first appearance on screen you can tell she is different, her smiles overtakes the screen, she is well cast as the show frontrunner. After hearing about a dance competition that will be held in her town, Ntombi decides to create a group of misfit dancers called the Trollies with the aid of Vuyisa her flamboyant best friend played by Candice Modiselle, their first recruit is former high school friend who got pregnant in matric Zinhle played by professional choreographer Sne Mbatha the trio on screen burst with energy, you can feel the hate and love when they all share the screen especially the tension between Sne and Candice characters quarrel about one stealing the other boyfriend back in high school.

They then recruit the best Pantsula (a tradition and also a highly energetic dance form that originated in the black townships of South Africa during the apartheid era) dancer in town Lady E who I think is an LGBT character, Lady E is played by Stella Dlangalala, the group needs a Gqom (a genre of electronic dance music) dancer to become whole, with the aid of Ntombi brother Samukelo who is played by Given Stuurman he introduces the group to his high school crush Nolwazi, after witnessing her dancing skills at an after school dance off that he initiate, so he could get her number. Nolwazi comes across as innocent; she is played by a charismatic Zazi Kunene. 

The five ladies have more screen time than the other cast. Jiva! Formula is very simple, young and new energetic actors for the heavy lifting e.g.; dancing and buoyant atmosphere, the more experience well known actors for the supporting roles that helps the main character development arch, Tony Kgoroge as Bra Zo the family uncle, he had an outstanding performance and Sibulele Gcilitshana who plays Thuleleni Ntombi and Samukelo disable and old school (stubborn) mother.  

The Trollies in action

The problem (cons)

Spoilers ahead.

Jiva! Has its share of problems, here lies the series misstep, there was never a shadow hurling over Ntombi. There was no urge to go into season two, the series makes you feel the emotion each character is going through, Ntombi past hunting her dreams. It's either her ex leaving for the city of gold or her father death which happened the day of her biggest audition, she abandoned her her dream to focus on helping the family. Ntuthuzelo Grootboom's character did not do much, the series portrays him as the villain, but he does not deliver, he could not keep up with his cost star Dlamini energy, each time they share the screen, but when faced with another actor on screen you notice why they chose him for the role.

If it was up to me, I would have use Makhekhe who is Ntuthuzelo Grootboom's character as season two antagonist, make him appear now and then as flashbacks scene to build suspense for the upcoming season, I felt there was too much going in Ntombi life and the lease problem was Makhekhe. The second issue is the speed of the series, it rushes to get to the end, each episode covers so much detail that the following episode details a new problem, the episodes could have been eight, with a run time of 30 minutes each, that might of came across as not rushed and gave a proper build up, showing Makhekhe in the final battle and feel his presence influence Ntombi team.

My opinion

Jiva! Is an amazing series. What makes it stand out is Mandla Dube cinematography, Durban beauty was on display in each episode, the set design made me want to visit certain locations like Ntombi backyard garden. The soundtrack backed with amazing choreography made me add Amapiano (a hybrid of deep house, jazz and lounge music characterized by synths, airy pads and wide and percussive baselines) to my music collection. The representation of South Africa music culture was respectively shared on the screen. Character development was well established for each main character besides Ntuthuzelo Grootboom's character Makhekhe. I just felt he did not have much to do in season one.
The message is clear, don't give up on your goals no matter the circumstance, and don't put up with bosses who do not look after you.

Conclusion

All in all, Jiva! Is a Netflix production that could be better at least they gave us a great cast with amazing script and directors that did not disappoint, if you're looking to pass time on weekend, or you simply love dancing movies/series Jiva! Would be good for you, three cups of coffee was required to write a six-minute review, not bad. Until next time, thanks for reading.

Jiva!

 ⛾⛾⛾⛾/5

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