Movie Review: Old Righteous Blues
One-liner: A sharp cast and earnest small-town Romeo & Juliet tale compel this authentic slice-of-life drama.
Set in Robertson, Old Righteous Blues is a drama centered on the local Christmas marching bands – a tradition that has marched in-step since 1947. Screenwriter Carol Shore originally envisioned a documentary, but after discovering a long-standing feud over competition and musical styles, she realized the story would be far more effective as a narrative feature.
The story follows Hantjie, a young man who must confront his limitations and a fractured community to achieve his ambition of becoming a drum major. His journey is complicated when he falls for Risi, the daughter of his rival’s leader. This Romeo and Juliet-style narrative provides the emotional backbone to an authentic tale of music, history and local heritage.
Filmed on location in the Winelands, authenticity is the film’s watchword in his film from Muneera Sallies. A great number of Robertson locals advised on the choreography and music, ensuring a high level of accuracy. This commitment enriches the film’s immersive quality, grounding the emotive storytelling in a vivid, real-world setting. The vernacular has also been carefully cultivated here, anchoring the culture and characters in this world.
The film is led by Ayden Croy, whose soulful performance as Hantjie captures the angst of youth and the innocence of finding one’s way in a rigid world. He stars opposite Megan Saayman, and the pair share good chemistry with a blossoming on-screen romance. Joshwin Dyson proves to be an equal-opposite, another strong contender opposite Croy as Elvin in his feature film debut. The cast is bolstered by South African acting veterans, including: Kevin Smith, Simon Bruinders, Euodia Sampson and Ivan Abrahams, who help maintain a seamless balance between the professional actors and the local extras.
“Play it again… with heart.”
Director Muneera Sallies breathes life into this tale, coaxing fine performances from her seasoned cast while expertly balancing the elements. The film retains a “docudrama” edge – a nod to its original vision – resulting in an earnest, well-realised story driven by authentic choreography and vivid cinematography.
By exploring Hantjie and Risi’s ill-fated relationship alongside the rigorous politics and hierarchy of the marching bands, Old Righteous Blues captures a poignant slice of life. While it succeeds as a hard-hitting drama, there are moments where a touch more levity and bittersweet humour may have added an extra dimension to the narrative and overall tone.
Selected as South Africa’s official entry for Best International Feature Film, Old Righteous Blues is a spirited and compelling drama. It captures the nuances of a small-town feud through characters who feel lifted directly from reality. Ultimately, it’s a fascinating on-the-ground peek into the arts and culture of Robertson and a timely chronicle of a proud, long-standing tradition.
The bottom line: Authentic
