Mdantsane-born actress, dancer and singer Yasirah is to star in the upcoming dance movie Pop, Lock ‘n Roll.
Yasirah, whose real name is Bhelekazi Ruiters, is joined by well-known Isidingo actor Maurice Paige (Calvin) and Lionel Newton in the cast.
The movie is written by Steven Pillemar, directed by Ziggy Hofmeyr and co-produced by Mayenzeke Baza and Pascal Schmitz.
The crew has finalised shooting in 10 locations across Johannesburg and Soweto.
Ruiters and Paige spent months being trained by professional choreographers.
Many will remember Ruiters for her smash hit single Noqatiko, which featured house legends Revolution and Black Motion. The song saw them being nominated for the best hit collaboration. She has also performed at the Metro FM awards and has worked with many well-known musicians such as Spikiri.
“It’s been amazing to be given such creative freedom. This is a rare opportunity to showcase both my acting and music. The film is the perfect vehicle for this.”
She said it was both challenging and exciting to be working alongside Paige and Schmitz. “They are well-established actors who know what they are doing. I had to up my acting game and deliver as well.
“Our director is a straight-forward guy who tells you what he wants. This movie has been a learning curve for me,” she said.
Ruiters has also trod the boards. In England she worked in theatre productions Carnival Messiah and Othello.
“Coming back home I’ve landed myself a couple of roles on numerous Mzansi Magic eKasi stories. This is the first time I am being featured in a big movie,” she said.
Yasirah said she wanted every young person growing up in a township to believe in their dreams and not to become prisoners of circumstance.
“We should never be afraid to dream and work towards those dreams.”
Hofmeyr said the movie was a first for South Africa. “It is on the same level as movies like Stomp the Yard. It will be massive. We have featured dance styles from pop lock to street.”
Dancers featured include Vintage, Street Kingdom and Soweto’s Finest.
Hofmeyr said they would be finalising post-production work in the next two months. “We will then focus on getting funding to get it out there. We want to see it screened in cinemas across the country,” he said.
Mdantsane star in new dance movie
Yasirah, whose real name is Bhelekazi Ruiters, is joined by well-known Isidingo actor Maurice Paige (Calvin) and Lionel Newton in the cast.
The movie is written by Steven Pillemar, directed by Ziggy Hofmeyr and co-produced by Mayenzeke Baza and Pascal Schmitz.
The crew has finalised shooting in 10 locations across Johannesburg and Soweto.
Ruiters and Paige spent months being trained by professional choreographers.
Many will remember Ruiters for her smash hit single Noqatiko, which featured house legends Revolution and Black Motion. The song saw them being nominated for the best hit collaboration. She has also performed at the Metro FM awards and has worked with many well-known musicians such as Spikiri.
“It’s been amazing to be given such creative freedom. This is a rare opportunity to showcase both my acting and music. The film is the perfect vehicle for this.”
She said it was both challenging and exciting to be working alongside Paige and Schmitz. “They are well-established actors who know what they are doing. I had to up my acting game and deliver as well.
“Our director is a straight-forward guy who tells you what he wants. This movie has been a learning curve for me,” she said.
Ruiters has also trod the boards. In England she worked in theatre productions Carnival Messiah and Othello.
“Coming back home I’ve landed myself a couple of roles on numerous Mzansi Magic eKasi stories. This is the first time I am being featured in a big movie,” she said.
Yasirah said she wanted every young person growing up in a township to believe in their dreams and not to become prisoners of circumstance.
“We should never be afraid to dream and work towards those dreams.”
Hofmeyr said the movie was a first for South Africa. “It is on the same level as movies like Stomp the Yard. It will be massive. We have featured dance styles from pop lock to street.”
Dancers featured include Vintage, Street Kingdom and Soweto’s Finest.
Hofmeyr said they would be finalising post-production work in the next two months. “We will then focus on getting funding to get it out there. We want to see it screened in cinemas across the country,” he said.
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