Josef Kubota Wladyka makes his debut in the dance-film genre with his third directorial feature, “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!” Sony Pictures Classics will release the film, which earned Wladyka the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
Wladyka co-writes the screenplay with Nicholas Huynh, introducing us to Haru (Rinko Kikuchi) and Luis (Alejandro Edda), a married couple who are passionate competitors in Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene. After a tragedy drives Haru into isolation, her friends coax her back into the studio, where she develops an infatuation with a new instructor, Fedir (Alberto Guerra). As sparks begin to fly, Haru must navigate her grief while confronting feelings and desires she thought had faded away.
I couldn’t catch “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!” at this year’s Sundance or TIFF, but since I love a good dance film, I made it a priority to see it when I could. Wladyka opens the film elegantly, quickly drawing us into the love story between Haru and Luis. A particularly effective sequence in the first half features cinematographer Daniel Satinoff juxtaposing the exhilaration of one moment with how swiftly happiness can be stripped away without warning.
The film ultimately relies on Kikuchi’s performance, and she delivers beautifully. We watch Haru navigate through grief, loneliness, desire, and eventual rediscovery, without the story reducing her journey to merely finding another man. Wladyka explores multiple layers, delving into not just dance but also the consequences of becoming emotionally involved with a married man before fully processing one’s loss.
Dance enthusiasts will enjoy the charming references to iconic Hollywood musicals, as the film weaves dazzling fantasy sequences that transport viewers to a whimsical realm. The ensemble cast adds an exciting international flair, with the talented Kikuchi at the forefront of a Japanese group, complemented by the vibrant performances of prominent Latin American actors such as Guerra, Edda, and Damián Alcázar. Their diverse backgrounds enrich the film’s overall tapestry, creating a captivating fusion of cultures and styles.
While I’m not predicting any wins just yet, I can easily see Sony Pictures Classics launching an awards-season campaign, particularly highlighting Kikuchi’s performance. She brings humor, vulnerability, and a wealth of soul to a character who must rediscover what it means to live.
Successfully balancing themes of grief, romance, magical realism, and familiar dance-film tropes, “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!” hits all the right notes as an effective crowd-pleaser.
Final Grade: B+
HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! dances into theaters on September 25th.
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