The Swenkas

I saw this film at the 2005 Hot Docs festival in Toronto. This film was really unlike any other documentary I've ever seen. The Swenkas are a group of about 20 Zulu men who gather each weekend to "swank": they dress up in fancy suits and jewellery and compete before a judge to see who is the most stylish. Sort of a "Lord of the Bling" (ooh, couldn't resist!). But it's more than just fun for them. Swanking represents self-respect, and these men emphasize certain values such as cleanliness and sobriety. It's as if the old adage "Clothes make the man" has come to life. Even though some may think these men are spending far too much money on their clothes, it seems to have given them the pride they need to be successful in life. Certainly no one in their families complains. Besides, sometimes they compete for large sums of money (or even, now and then, a cow.) The reason the film stands out is the way it has been crafted. Director Rønde uses the framing device of a fictional narrator, an old Zulu vagabond who tells us a bit about the group, but also sets up the dramatic arc of the story: the leader of the Swenkas has just died, and his son is grieving and thinking about abandoning the group. This storyline gives the film the feeling of a fictional film, and at times it's hard to believe that the whole thing isn't carefully scripted.

The director explained afterward that he never told the participants what to say, but that since Zulu culture is built around storytelling and the Swenkas were all used to performing, each participant had no trouble "performing" in the film. But they really were working through a difficult time in the life of their group.

The result is a beautifully shot, and even more beautifully edited film that feels more like a fable. The recurring themes are hope and the relationship between fathers and sons. The director actually told us that this film is the second in a trilogy about faith, hope and love, and I found myself really eager to see the other films. A standard documentary approach, with interviews and such, would have made an interesting film. Jeppe Rønde's unorthodox approach has given us a transcendent one.

I saw this film at AFI/Silverdocs, in Silver Spring, Maryland. It was the night before Father's Day, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to the love of Fathers and Sons for one another. The Swenkas are South African workers who have found a unique way to channel their self respect, their creativity, and their hope in the future in the worker's hell that Apartheid created and modern South African society can't seem to dismantle. Hard lives, miserable living conditions and long separations from their families would beat down the strongest men. The Swenkas beliefs in cleanliness, self respect, chaste behavior, and support for one another give them hope in their grim world. Their healthy humorous competition for the best attired man gives them joy. Their snappy clothing and male model performances are exercises in self respect and creativity, a Texas beauty queen has nothing on these guys. These guys love life and every bit of excitement they can wring out of it, and their families share in that joy. It was those small moments between husband and wife, father and son, mentor and student that brought tears to my eyes. Jeppe Ronde has created a warm and loving documentary/fable on a small but strong community. His use of the story telling technique is appropriate for a culture that passes it's stories down verbally. His selection of music is inspired, reminding us that these men are not so unlike us. Mr. Ronde spoke after the film, and he was warm, funny, and further broadened my appreciation for his film and for the Swenkas. There is a lot we can learn from the Swenkas, beyond the best dressed lists - we can learn some tenderness and some humanity. Its not the flashy clothes, its the heart behind it. See this film, and then show it to the men in your life.