Home 2000s 2007 Movies How She Move

How She Move

144

92 minutes – Drama
Release date: January 25, 2008
Canadian distributor: Mongrel Media

Set in the hot world of “step,” – a dance form that is an intensely rhythmic, percussive and expressive form of dancing that began as a way of connecting people in Africa – How She Move is based on a script by Annmarie Morais, whose inspiration came from her own award-winning documentary Steppin’ To It. How She Move is the story of Raya (Rutina Wesley), a gifted student who grew up in Toronto’s Jane-Finch Corridor, a community with a reputation for conflict. She’s been attending a private school outside the city, but a decline in family resources forces Raya to retreat to her old neighbourhood. Realizing she could win some serious prize money by entering underground dance competitions, Raya fights her way onto the all-male JSJ (Jane Street Junta) “step” crew, led by the charismatic Bishop (Dwain Murphy). The movie is a coming-of-age story that is a new take on the song-and-dance genre. Choreographed by HiHat, How She Move made its debut at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

How She Move, poster,

Crew:

Producer:

Jennifer Kawaja
Julia Sereny
Brent Barclay

Co-Producer:

Claire Prieto

Line Producer:

Colin Brunton

Director:

Ian Iqbal Rashid

Screenwriter:

Annmarie Morais

Cinematographer:

André Piennaar CSC, SASC

Editor:

Susan Maggi

Composer:

Andrew Lockington

Production Designer:

Aidan Leroux

Art Director:

Rhonda Moscoe
Liesl Deslauriers (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer:

Kimberley Ann Rush

Cast: Roles:

Rutina Wesley
Dwain Murphy
Tré Armstrong
Brennan Gademans
Shawn Desman
Kevin Duhaney
Melanie Nicholls-King
Keyshia Cole
DeRay Davis
Boyd Banks
Clé Bennett
Ardon Bess
Conrad Coates
Eve Crawford
Nina Dobrev
Ingrid Gaynor
Balford Gordon
Patrick Hayes
Malvin Jacobs
Rogue Johnston
Jai Jai Jones
Evelynking Nanatakyi
Tristan D. Lalla
Merwin Mondesir
Daniel Morrison
Vanessa Oryema
Brian Paul
Sarah-Jaiyn Ruglass
Tanisha Scott
Alison Sealy-Smith
Djanet Sears
Romina D’Ugo
Sydney Van Delft

Raya Green
Bishop
Michelle
Quake
Trey
E.C.
Faye Green
As Herself
As Himself
Mike Evans
Garvey
Uncle Cecil
David Green
Seaton Teacher
Tall Girl in Bathroom
Pam Green
Neighbouhood Guy
Customer
Scrawny Guy
DJ
Lester Johnson
Bishop Teen Groupie
Manny
Niko Niles
Wayne
Raya Green (at age 12)
Mr. Duncan
Sorority Stepper
Deandra
Mrs. Davis
Vice Principal Wilson
Selia
Short Girl in Bathroom