Born to Dance

With an unusual setting, fresh faces and a global form of entertainment at its disposal, Born to Dance looks ready to resonate nearly anywhere that hip-hop has taken root, which is pretty much everywhere ... bolstered by a talented, attractive, primarily Polynesian cast eager to pull out the stops...

– Justin Lowe, reviewing Born to Dance in The Hollywood Reporter, 12 September 2015

I promised your mother you’d make something of yourself.

– Sarge (John Tui)

Kane thinks you have what it takes to join our crew.

– Sasha (Kherington Payne) to Tu (Tia Maipi)

Born To Dance tells a story we've seen set in Los Angeles and Brooklyn a hundred times. But with the shift to a recognisable South Auckland, the massive blast of cynicism-free attitude, the spit in the eye of the misogyny and cheap homophobia that too often blight the American product and with some truly world-class choreography, music and camerawork, Born To Dance emerges as a film that is more often than not a goddamn triumph.

– Graeme Tuckett, in a four star review for Stuff, 23 September 2015

...an astonishing Kiwi choreography showcase, the biggest and by far more impressive of its kind to originate Down Under.

– Variety reviewer Peter Debruge, 6 October 2015

In New Zealand, we've got a bit of a reputation for making films about the dark side of life, the fringes of society. It's rare to see films which celebrate our lifestyle, to see kids being kids and doing well and achieving.

– Director Tammy Davis on making films which show Aotearoa in a positive light, The NZ Herald, 13 September 2015