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Movies / On DVD / The Swenkas
The Swenkas

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The Swenkas (2004)

63%
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63 %
Reviews Counted: 8 Fresh: 5  Rotten:3 Average Rating: 6.2/10

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The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 72 mins

Theatrical Release: Nov 9, 2005 Limited

Synopsis: In post-Apartheid South Africa there's a small group of working Zulu men who every Saturday night leave their grimy overalls behind and wear their best Carducci or Pierre Cardin suits to impress the weekly selected judge. The men are called the Swenkas, and they have run this fashion show for... In post-Apartheid South Africa there's a small group of working Zulu men who every Saturday night leave their grimy overalls behind and wear their best Carducci or Pierre Cardin suits to impress the weekly selected judge. The men are called the Swenkas, and they have run this fashion show for so many years that no one remembers exactly when ­ or even why ­ it all began. The youngest Swenka, Sabelo, is in the most turbulent time of his life. He has to bury his father just a week before Christmas ­ and only a week before his own wedding. But Sabelo's father was also Œfatherı of the Swenkas, and now Sabelo and his fellow Swenkas find themselves in a state of incertitude. The Swenkas are the filmıs direct entry to the darkest downtown of contemporary Johannesburg, one of the most violent cities on earth. But the Swenkas are about to tell a totally different story from within that very place - a story of hope. Even though the Swenkas openly long for the days of Apartheid they havenıt given up hope for a better future. --© 7th Art Releasing [More]

Genre: Foreign Films

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After a while, you begin to wonder if this is a subject truly deserving of full documentary treatment.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/01/07
David Noh
Film Journal International
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2.5/4

By the end of the film, it's clear Sabelo comes to understand what the Swenkas are all about, but do we?

Full Review | comment Comment
02/02/06
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
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Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Onion AV Club
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2/5

Ronde has clearly stumbled onto a terrific subject for a documentary, but having done that, he has little idea what to do with it.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/11/05
Saul Austerlitz
Boxoffice Magazine
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2.5/4

Jeppe Ronde's unusual documentary is unabashedly superficial. But it's an approach that works better than you might imagine.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/11/05
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News
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3.5/4

This is a beautifully shot, wonderfully moving film, and whoever thought of setting the scenes of the Swenkas displaying their plumage to 'Happy Trails' and vintage Henry Mancini tunes is a genius.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/09/05
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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3/4

The Swenkas are a charismatic group, and Ronde takes full advantage. You can't help but love them, especially when they go swanking. Beautiful cinematography and a sweet soundtrack with, among others, Roy Rogers and Tommy Dorsey, add to the charm.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/09/05
V.A. Musetto
New York Post
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3.5/5

The Danish filmmaker Jeppe Ronde's intriguing documentary presents a window into a strange and selfish obsession.

comment Comment
11/09/05
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
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Peculiar and sweet.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/08/05
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice
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Around the Network

• The Swenkas at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Swenkas at AskMen
 
 
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