Athena Film Festival - Martha & Niki
Martha Nabwire and Niki Tsappos took part in the biggest international Street Dance Competition, Juste Debout in Paris. It was the first time ever two women became World Champions in Hip Hop.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Tora Mandawire Mårtens
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The first time I saw Martha and Niki dance was on Youtube, I was instantly amazed even felt seduced… no.. almost obsessed! Both of them carried so much that needed out through dance. I felt so excited about their energy and decided to capture that on film. They’re very different as individuals, which makes their relationship the more interesting to explore. Their friendship really touches the viewer on so many emotional levels. I was instantly swept away by their friendship from scene one and caught myself laughing, crying…even dancing. – They’re very honest and straightforward about everything and that kind of honesty was exactly what I wanted to portray – nothing was held back, everything is real and upfront – honesty is what moves people.
Words and communicating are however an area they’re lacking in, they communicate best through dance and expose themselves entirely. Dancing is really what keeps them connected, it’s also the beauty of their connection. Martha calls it an ‘infatuation’ – which comes across in the film and is quite striking to watch.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Their love for dance is something they treat with pure honesty and that comes across in each and every move. They go deep and put their hearts into it – the crowd loves it. It’s important to also mention they were pioneers and represented something completely new to the game – beaming of charisma and a confidence that led them to their victory. They crushed all male competitors, which was a first, that was a big deal, it almost came off as a provocation because they were so used to winning.
You don’t have to be into dance or hiphop to watch it, it moves people regardless. There’s no integral explicit message to it, it rather circles around several messages. But, as a whole, the core message is really about honesty, staying true to yourself and not pretending. Our goal was to create an authentic feel to the film, we want to take the viewers with us, to experience the full package by making them feel as if they’re actually there watching the battles live. See the film, if you want to get inspired and enjoy watching people dance – because dance expresses so much without using words.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
At heart I’m a photographer, so I draw inspiration from visual sources, images I see that make me reflect. I look around for visual elements I can incorporate in my films, that’s the way I’ve always worked. My aim with this film Martha & Niki has been to get beneath the surface and present another side of the hip-hop dance world. It can express so many emotions, there are battles but there’s also a more profound art form that underpins it. Or as Martha puts it, every time she dances she tells a story, the story of her life. Martha & Niki is also a film about the friendship between two young women of diverse backgrounds. Rather like a Hollywood fantasy it starts out as a success story: their dance battles in the world’s major cities and the flights that take them there.
We get to know Martha and Niki in the beginning of the film almost wordlessly via gestures, movements and body language. Only when we see their first defeat does the street dance fade to reveal problems that they experience away from the stage. There was no other way, they were at the top right from the outset. People said: they’re world champions already, what more is there to say? There’s a tendency towards fixed ideas about how a story should be told, but I think you can do it in many ways. Yet there is only one way from the top, and that’s down. You can’t be on top all the time. Success produces a sense of saturation, and issues surrounding their situation, different origins and characters start to surface.
Martha has the most misgivings. When she was 13 she and her family left Uganda for Sweden and have never felt at home in the grey everyday reality of their new country. Niki, on the other hand, adopted as a baby from Ethiopia, has a more straightforward attitude to life and is the driving force behind the partnership. There’s clearly an unspoken sense of being outsiders, mostly for Martha, but for Niki too in a different way. As she puts it she’s fed up with growing up with a different skin colour and having to put up with all the tired prejudices that go with it. What she wants is simply to be herself. Dance is the means to overcome these feelings. Both of them get such amazing self-confidence from dance, from the coordination of their bodies. What matters to me is being able to bring it all to life.”
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
We shot this film during a five year period and I have followed Martha and Niki's development as human beings. And how their relationship changed during the years so many things evolved during this process. From the start with the script I called this a "love story" (between friends) and I think we captured all the phases that a love story detains. I also call this film a coming of age film as you can see Martha and Niki grow up and change during the film. There were also plenty of wow-moments that occurred during shooting (that we hoped for) – one of them was of course when they won the Juste Debout competition, beating the men and becoming world champions. Magical!
I remember us blasting the stage in that very moment. I couldn’t help it, pure impulse and emotional climax drove me to do it! And also, the moving speech straight after, and the massive support received from the crowd, there were just so many emotions pouring out, there wasn’t a dry eye. Besides that, there was also Soweto, where we shot at an orphanage which brought even more feelings to the surface. We watched kids sing and dance and were all deeply moved by being there, it meant a whole lot to the camera crew, as well as for Martha and Niki, we couldn’t stop crying.
We laughed a lot together and the girls were so generous about sharing and being themselves throughout the entire process. I have to say, making documentaries is, however, always a challenge. Getting emotionally involved is part of the role as a director, because people open up and share their stories, which I cherish deeply, I’m held responsible for making everyone involved pleased. That goes for – processing all feelings during the making and dealing with nerves. So, I’m extremely pleased with the fact that Martha and Niki’s participation in the film has played a therapeutic part in their lives – in terms of expressing and dealing with hardships. I appreciate that.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have received great feedback. Beyond all expectations! The film has also been winning many awards at Film Festivals around the world. Last week the film won two awards at Guldbaggen(the Swedish Oscar) for Best Documentary and Best Editing. "Variety" wrote about Martha & Niki and called it “a visual feast that skillfully intertwines a profound reflection on (an) art form with the inner journey of two compelling characters.”
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I have realised that this film moves people of all ages. From young to old, and as I mentioned you don't have to be a dancer to be able to relate to it.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Before I started working as a filmmaker, I was a stills photographer for many years. Stills and moving images are very interwoven in my work. Both have the ability to convey things that are hard to describe in words. Pictures speak in silence. What’s great about both stills and video is when they manage to create a feeling of their own in the visual language. When the viewer steps into a new world. My goal with the film about Martha and Niki is for the viewer to remember the imagery in the film. I want the feeling in the images to stick with the viewer after they leave the cinema.
From square one they should be drawn into the world of Martha and Niki, a visual world dedicated solely to them. A visual language that will symbolise their lives and moods. What’s important is to bring out their feelings and dreams. I think many people will relate to the film, because we all – or at least most of us – have a close friend with whom our relationship is somewhat complicated. I want the film to be a story of the love between friends. My vision is to create an inspiring film that makes you feel that everything is possible. A film that gives hope and makes you happy. For me it's about creating the image of two young dancer's dreams. The aim of the film is also to show Martha’s and Niki’s more humorous side. It is a humorous feel good documentary with a warm feel.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
We often talk about promoting role models so that young people have someone to look up to and be inspired by. Martha and Niki are definitely role models, but not because they’re world champions. What’s important in the film is not to highlight success and the importance of winning. It is their warmth, consideration, humour, thoughts and how they act towards each other and other people that I think can inspire the audience. It’s their way of being human that makes them role models.
Interview: February 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Martha & Niki
Martha Nabwire and Niki Tsappos took part in the biggest international Street Dance Competition, Juste Debout in Paris. It was the first time ever two women became World Champions in Hip Hop.
Length: 92 min
Director: Tora Mkaandawire Mårtens
Producer: Tora Mkandawire Mårtens
Writer: Tora Mandawire Mårtens
About the writer, director and producer:
Tora Mkandawire Mårtens was born in Stockholm in 1978. She has a background as a stills photographer. She directed and produced the documentary TOMMY in Cuba. TOMMYcompeted for a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2008. Her latest feature film Colombianos has been awarded and shown at Film Festivals around the world. www.marthaniki.com www.toramartens.com
Key cast: Martha Nabwire and Niki Tsappos
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Funders: SVT, NRK, The Swedish Filminstitute, Konstnärsnämnden
Made in association with: -
Where can I see it in the next month?
Vimeo VOD: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/marthaniki
Festivals and TV:
Athena Film festival, New York
Pan African Film Festival LA 9-20 February
The Swedish House, Washington DC
Afridocs, Dstv in 48 African countries the 28th of February
African Film Festival NY travelling series February – November
Chiayi City International Art Documentary Film Festival (CIADFF) in Taiwan 17th March – 2 April
Taoyuan Film Festival, Taiwan, 12th - 25th of May
Cologne International Women’s FF 4 - 9th of April