Mukeni Nel
Mukeni Nel is a professional dancer who styles in ballet, contemporary, street, jazz and musical theatre. We met up with Mukeni to discuss what dance means to him. NOWNESS Article: nowness.com/picks/mukeni-nel-joel-barney
A stripped-back portrait of the transcendental power of dance
London-based director and editor Joel Barney met up with old school friend and professional dancer Mukeni Nel to shine a spotlight on his kinetic talents in ballet, contemporary, jazz and musical theater. “For this film, I wanted to give Mukeni a stripped-back, safe space to explore and discuss his passion for dancing,” says Barney, who majestically captures Nel’s perfect pirouettes and astonishing aerial cartwheels during a brief break from his international tour in Cats the musical.
Born in Kenya and raised in Winchester, Mukeni’s name means ‘forever happy’ in his mother’s native language, and in this profile piece, Barney successfully captures the joyful and transcendental power of dance in Nel’s life.
“Watching Mukeni dance is a mesmerizing experience,” Barney continues. ”He is a performer who captures your attention instantly and the intensity at which he performs doesn’t allow you to take your eyes off him for a second.”
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