Hip Hop-eration

A group of 30 senior citizens, the oldest of whom is 96, are preparing on a small island off the coast of New Zealand for the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas. They are under the inspirational leadership of manager Billie Jordan, who is convinced even before they have qualified for the championship that the trip to Vegas is a certainty: “You’re all going, even if it’s in an urn.” Wheelchairs and artificial hips are no excuse. Jordan admits in an interview that even she doesn’t know where her fervor comes from. Instead of focusing on the rehearsals, director Bryn Evans concentrates on a few of the hip-hop seniors at home, where they talk about what they think of hip-hop: “I like the movement of it, but I’m not too keen on the music.” And about their pasts: one of them was a well-known peace activist who crossed the United States on foot. And about the present, which for some of them presents obstacles to the big trip: such as a partner with dementia, problems with dentures, a doctor who expressly forbids it. Others are more resolute: “I’ve always wanted to die dancing.” One thing’s for sure: the audience in Vegas will see something they’ve never seen before.