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Short Film ‘GRIT. GRACE. GOLD.’ Captures Dubai’s Breakdancing Culture

27/04/2021813 views0

‘GRIT. GRACE. GOLD.’ is a cool 10-minute coffee break watch. Written and directed by Amirah Tajdin, the short film gives a glimpse into Dubai’s breakdancing scene in 2016. Its cast of b-boys and b-girls explain what popping, locking and breaking means to them. And, naturally, the film features some jaw-dropping dance moves.

“No matter where you’re from, nationality, race, religion… when we step on the floor we’re all one,” explains Krafty. “We’re all connected. It’s like a spiritual kind of thing. It’s like going to church on a Sunday or going to the mosque for the Friday prayer.”

More Grit, Less Gold

A project presented by Sole DXB, ‘GRIT. GRACE. GOLD.’ is shot in some of Dubai’s edgier locations. The movie homes in on Krafty and his buddies CL Frostyle, Tornado, Sparky, Goofy, Lady Flow, DRG Bone and more. Several of the interviews take place in an old fashioned barber’s shop with dance frames shot in the street.

In the film, b-girl Lady Flow insists female breakers have an advantage over stronger male counterparts. “We have another power,” says Lady Flow. “We can move in a different way – women’s style – which is really pretty. Some girls are more flexible, they can do a lot of crazy stuff. We are more creative.”

Living It

Back in 2009, Spiky Flave set up SlamFam in a small dance studio to “expand, explore and evolve the hip-hop culture and dance scene in the region”. He’s also captured on camera championing the scene in Dubai. He reveals his stock answer when people from other countries express surprise that hip-hop and breaking exists in Dubai. “I tell them, ‘We’re living it every day. It’s a lifestyle for us’.”

Make yourself a coffee and watch the full short film below.