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Dancehall Queen Details

1997 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 254 members

A poor Kingston street vendor, the principal breadwinner for her struggling family, finds new vitality after discovering the pulsing, anonymous world of the dancehall. Not only can she allow herself the freedom to become a star, she may also be able to win the lucrative dancehall contest and pull her family out of despair. A .. Read more

Director Don Letts, Rick Elgood
Genres Drama

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Dancehall Queen cover art

Dancehall Queen

A poor Kingston street vendor, the principal breadwinner for her struggling family, finds new vitality after discovering the pulsing, anonymous world of the dancehall. Not only can she allow herself the freedom to become a star, she may also be able to win the lucrative dancehall contest and pull her family out of despair. A reggae/dancehall-fueled, original musical drama shot on location in Kingston, Jamaica.

Director Don Letts, Rick Elgood
Studio PALM PICTURES
Run time DVD: 1 hr 37 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 25 Aug 2008
Production year: 1997
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews of Dancehall Queen

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    Knowing patois is a useful skill when it comes to understanding this Jamacian street film. Audrey Reid stars as a single mother, struggling to survive by selling drinks outside popular dance halls, while predatory men are after her 15-year-old daughter. Adopting a mystery persona, Reid starts wowing in the dance halls despite heaving midriff and bulging bottom. The film forms an interesting alternative to the trite stereotypical “feminine struggle” screenplays that emerge out of the Hollywood stable. The soundtrack is as atmospheric as walking through the Notting Hill Carnival, but the sudden shift from Reid's extremely grim life into comedy doesn't quite hang together.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Dancehall Queen

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    if you love dancehall.......

    Well I do love dancehall and although it isnt the main feature of this film there was enough to keep me interested, and I'm glad it did!!!!!

    This a basically a Jamican cinderlla story and it well done, it's amazing how it give you the impression of how peoples lives revolve around the dancehall,how it's one of the few breaks to an otherwise hard life!! this was my second 'Jamaican' movie and I was not disappointed.

    Even if your just curious give it a go, it's great.

      • A customer from Pwllheli,Gwynedd
      • Posted 23 Mar 2005 17:46

  • Most recent members' review of Dancehall Queen

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  • Rated - 4 stars

    not for the prudish!

    This is a very entertaining film with a good blend of music. However, some of the dance sequences might not be for the faint hearted as it borders on the realms of soft porn. However, the storyline was interesting and Beeni man saved the day with his performance. Worth grabing a few friends and a bottle of wine.

      • molina samuel from london
      • Posted 26 Feb 2005 21:15

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Rating breakdown

254 Member ratings
  • 100
42
  • 90
21
  • 80
31
  • 70
31
  • 60
38
  • 50
21
  • 40
23
  • 30
16
  • 20
21
  • 10
10

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    • Dancehall Queen

    • Dancehall Queen
      A poor Kingston street vendor, the principal breadwinner for her struggling family, finds new vitality after discovering the pulsing, anonymous world of the dancehall. Not only can she allow herself the freedom to become a star, she may also be able to win the lucrative dancehall contest and pull ...