Ideally, any Westerner who has an interest in African culture and African beats should attend the African Footprint show. As this is not always possible, mainly for monetary reasons, a convenient alternative is now on the market. You can rent or buy the DVD featuring South Africa’s most famous cultural show.

But firstly, what is African Footprint? It was Richard Loring’s lifetime goal to find a way to empower young black South African people through theatre. After years and years of hard work, which can easily be noticed when watching the show, he succeeded. The show premiered on the 1999 New Years’ eve, from the prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent two decades of his life, on the Robben Island. It is, if you wish, in many ways, the African version of the Irish Riverdance Show.

The African Footprint show narrates the history of South Africa, through an unusual and unexpected blend of African and European rhythms represented by complex dances and thematic songs that progressively reveal the tormented history of Africa’s most developed country. The most amazing part about this show is that it seems like the story told by a griot who introduces the audience to the  diverse South African landscape, heritage, and traditions. The show also promotes a message of tolerance, inclusion and reconciliation.

The cast is made of young people – mostly under 30 years old – who come from various ethnic and racial backgrounds: black, white, and Asians (both Asiatic and Indian). They speak of history, democracy, pride, and empowerment, and combine their beautiful songs with the most unexpected dances out there: contemporary ballet, hip-hop, the Kwela-jive, traditional gumboot, and tap among others. But the show is not only about music and dancing but also acrobatics: in-between songs, the viewers witness beautiful human pyramids and balancing acts.

The show begins with pulsating drum beats that foretells the story of the African genesis. It is followed by the appearance of a young man who converts into a fearless warrior that claims his heritage through a beautiful song called “We have been here before.” It continues with a staged representation of the early days of South African history: the village life dominated by drums and spears, stamping and running rituals. In a nutshell, this is the beginning of a beautiful visual journey that many will never forget. It starts in myth and it follows the progress of humanity to the present day.

More than 250 million people have attended the live performances in the 3,500+ shows organized throughout the world. The huge success of the show convinced the producers to allow the mass distribution of a DVD that includes the entire show from beginning to the end. It is not the same as actually seeing it in a theatre but it is as close as many of us will ever get.

Two scenes are simply impeccably executed and beautifully imagined. Two “wrestlers” begin a decorative fight that ends up being an impossibly executed slow-motion (very slow motions as a matter of fact) set of flips, holds and turnarounds. The second one features a team of soccer players wearing screaming colored jerseys who tap and pass colored balls. Absolutely stunning performance both choreographically and artistically.

I strongly recommend either buying the DVD or the Original Cast Recording CD (it just arrived in my mail a couple of minutes ago.) Or, if you have the chance, just go and see the show. It’s worth every cent you pay.

Netflix tags the show as a “Special Interest” DVD. And if there is one special interest DVD that you should own, this is it.

This documentary (?) is rated 9/10