Josef Kubota Wladyka Finds Inspiration in His 81-Year-Old Mother’s Love for Ballroom Dancing in ‘Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!’ at Sundance Studio
‘Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!’: A Dance of Love and Resilience in Tokyo’s Ballroom Scene
Director: Josef Kubota Wladyka
Screenwriters: Josef Kubota Wladyka, Nicholas Huynh
Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition
In "Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!", Haru (played by Rinko Kikuchi) and Luis (Alejandro Edda) thrive in Tokyo’s vibrant ballroom dance community. However, after a tragic event, Haru retreats into seclusion. Encouraged by friends, she returns to the dance studio, where she finds herself drawn to a new instructor, played by Alberto Guerra. As their chemistry ignites, Haru faces the challenges that lie ahead.
The film premiered on Thursday, January 22, at the Eccles Theatre, featuring a panel discussion with Wladyka, Guerra, Edda, and producers Kimberly Parker Zox and Mao Nagakura. A notable presence at the event, CAA serves as the sales agent for the film.
Reflecting on the film’s inspiration, Wladyka shared, “The inspiration really comes from my mother. She’s 81 years old, and she’s still a ballroom dancer to this day. I wanted to make a film that was an homage to her. She’s raised three boys on her own, and the thing that helped her get through it all was dancing. We wanted to make a film with that spirit.” He acknowledged that while the character draws from his mother’s personality, the story is not autobiographical. “Rinko Kikuchi, who plays Haru, did an amazing job embodying her,” he added.
Alberto Guerra expressed his admiration for the script, stating, “When I got the script, it was one of the most beautiful things that I’ve ever read. It combines entertainment and deep emotion in a brave way. It was so poetic and simultaneously so weird and crazy that I knew I had to do this.” Guerra emphasized the significance of showcasing four Latino characters who defy stereotypes. “It’s beautiful to see these characters brought together through life itself, regardless of their backgrounds or the current political landscape. That’s not something you see every day as a Latino actor on an international stage.”
"Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!" promises not only to celebrate the art of dance but also the resilience of its characters, resonating with audiences on multiple levels.
