“Napoleon Dynamite,” the quirky indie comedy that took Hollywood by storm in 2004, wasn’t your typical blockbuster. With its shoestring budget, a cast of mostly unknowns, and a profoundly offbeat sensibility, it became a cultural phenomenon. At the heart of its enduring appeal is one scene that’s become instantly iconic: Napoleon’s electrifying dance performance. And the song that fueled this legendary moment? Jamiroquai’s funkadelic track, “Canned Heat.” Let’s delve into the story behind the Napoleon Dynamite Dancing Song and how this unforgettable scene came to life.
From BYU Dance Floors to the Silver Screen: The Genesis of Napoleon’s Moves
The roots of Napoleon’s legendary dance can be traced back to Brigham Young University (BYU), where both director Jared Hess and star Jon Heder were students. Heder and his twin brother Dan harbored a deep fascination with the 1970s, fueled by disco music and films like “Saturday Night Fever.” This passion led them to the dance floor, honing their moves inspired by the era’s groovy rhythms.
“I was obsessed with Jamiroquai,” Heder revealed in an interview with Insider, speaking about the British funk band. Their 2001 album, “A Funk Odyssey,” became his go-to soundtrack for impromptu dance sessions. It was during this time that Hess witnessed Heder’s unique talent. This eventually led to their collaboration on “Peluca,” a short film featuring a character remarkably similar to Napoleon Dynamite.
While filming “Peluca” in Preston, Idaho – the same town that would later become the setting for “Napoleon Dynamite” – Hess had a stroke of inspiration. With leftover film and Heder in character, he decided to capture an impromptu dance scene. “I was like, ‘Jon, while you’re still dressed up in the moon boots and everything, let’s go shoot this shot,'” Hess recalled. He played a Jamiroquai song on the radio and let Heder improvise. This brief, unplanned moment revealed the comedic gold of seeing Napoleon-esque character unleashing unexpected dance skills. As Hess noted, “You just wouldn’t expect a guy that looks like that to throw down some wicked moves.”
Although this initial dance sequence didn’t make the final cut of “Peluca,” it planted the seed for what would become the climax of “Napoleon Dynamite.” Hess recognized the potential of this visual humor and told Heder, “‘Yeah, it’s going to be the climax for the film; you dancing.'”
“Canned Heat” and the Improvised Magic of the Dance Scene
Fast forward to “Napoleon Dynamite,” and the dance scene is pivotal. Napoleon’s performance, set to the infectious beat of the Napoleon Dynamite dancing song “Canned Heat,” is his desperate attempt to rally support for his friend Pedro’s campaign for class president. It’s a moment of unexpected brilliance, catching the attention of his crush Deb and changing how his classmates perceive him.
Filming the scene was a testament to the film’s low-budget ingenuity. With limited resources and only one roll of film remaining, they had just three takes to capture the entire sequence. Adding to the pressure was the uncertainty around securing the rights to “Canned Heat.” Heder had to dance to alternative songs, including another Jamiroquai track, “Little L,” and even a Michael Jackson song, just in case.
Despite the lack of a choreographer, Heder was given simple but effective direction by Hess: “Dude, you just do your thing.” Heder embraced the freedom, drawing upon his improvisational dance background. “I’ll just do what I normally do. I’ll just do my best to make it as funky as I can and as good as I can,” he decided. The key was to contrast Napoleon’s usual stiff demeanor with the fluidity and energy of his dance, making it all the more surprising and humorous.
Editing Genius and the Enduring Legacy of a Dance
What viewers see on screen is not just Heder’s raw talent, but also the magic of editing. Hess and his team skillfully pieced together the best moments from the three takes, creating a seamless and dynamic performance. “We ended up kind of Frankensteining together different dance moves from all three takes,” Hess explained. This “Frankenstein-ing” approach contributed to the scene’s unique, slightly off-kilter charm, perfectly mirroring the film’s overall tone.
Interestingly, the audience in the scene – the high school students – were real extras from Preston, Idaho, working for little more than Gatorade and a movie credit. However, they weren’t actually watching Heder dance during filming. To preserve Heder’s energy and ensure authentic reactions, the extras’ reactions were filmed separately. Heder was essentially dancing for the film crew, adding to the scene’s almost surreal quality.
The result was cinematic gold. When “Napoleon Dynamite” premiered at Sundance, the dance scene became an instant crowd-pleaser. It solidified the film’s iconic status and cemented “Canned Heat” as the definitive Napoleon Dynamite dancing song. In the years since, Napoleon’s dance has become as recognizable as “Vote for Pedro” shirts, a symbol of the film’s quirky humor and unexpected heart.
The dance scene’s impact is undeniable. It provided Napoleon with a moment of triumph, showcasing a hidden talent and earning him respect. It’s a celebration of individuality, friendship, and the power of letting loose, all set to the infectious rhythm of “Canned Heat.” And while Heder admits he couldn’t recreate the dance move-for-move, the spirit of it remains: “Really the Napoleon dance is just dancing from your heart,” he says. “It’s just like, feeling it and just letting it go.” The enduring popularity of the Napoleon Dynamite dancing song and scene is a testament to the film’s unique charm and its ability to capture the joy of unexpected moments of brilliance in the most ordinary of settings.
