The idea sounds like a PR gag that’s a bit too cutesy to be real: 27 seniors between 66 and 94 found a hip hop dance group and decide to compete in the hip hop world championship in Las Vegas. The story of HIP HOP-ERATION, named after the hip operations many members have undergone, becomes credible very quickly. Dance teacher Billie Jordan teaches her group in the small island of Waiheke, 18 kilometers away from Auckland. Billie’s demeanor makes it easy to see how the film team were convinced to document them. Billie is so warm and infectiously enthusiastic that she could probably get a penguin to buy a fridge. Billie and her dance group don’t listen to hip hop but she watches some youtube videos and invents a few moves. The seniors only start getting excited when they meet the DZIAH Dance Crew, a successful hip hop crew with mostly Maori and Pacific Islander members. The young people take an immediate liking the old folks and the geriatrics are impressed by their athleticism and friendliness. Director Bryn Evans and his team get closer to three women from HIP HOP-ERATION: Maynie Thompson (95), Kara Nelson (94), and Terri Woolmore-Godwin (94). Mayne and Kara are old friends who were both activists in the peace movement in the 60s and 70s. Terri, a somewhat shy former music teacher, takes care of her husband Bill who has Alzheimers. HIP HOP-ERATION is a very endearing and moving feel-good movie which just won the youth jury prize at the film fair in Leipzig.

Hannes Stein

Translation: Elinor Lewy