It seems almost hard to believe that a genre that should start to feel oversaturated by now, instead seems to be more and more reinvigorated; not only it manages to keep the big league characters surfing the wave successfully (Batman 9 anyone?) or introduce those considered B if not C characters in relevant and interesting ways. Somehow there seems to be some space left for completely original stories like "Heroes reborn" with his recent resurrection from cancellation limbo or in this case those of "Jongo".
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/124309057" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/124309057">Jongo Promo</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user3693977">Motion Story</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
In common with the escapism offered by all the superheroes stories, this one apparently has another trait at his core in common with the superheroe archetype, a social message:
“We wanted to showcase the beauty and dynamism of the continent and of South Africa in particular. So many films and TV shows focus on the problems Africans face. Jongo will emphasize all that is positive about this great continent of ours”, says the director Gareth Crocker while emphasizing the importance of find the right lead in Pacou Mutombo considered a role model for young Africans. It can't really be a surprise where he might have find the inspiration: “I grew up reading Marvel and DC comics. I always wanted to do what they would do. In my dancing I like to engage youngsters and make them think positively.”
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/124604413" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/124604413">Jongo, Behind the scenes</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user3693977">Motion Story</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
As Wilde said “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.”