Behind the Bling - for fans of things "hippity hoppity"
Okay now this has nothing to do with Trance whatsoever, but relevant enough to the course so I figure it's worth a post. Was fortunate enough to win free tix to an advance screening of Dave Chappelle's Block Party at the Dendy last night, and thought I'd give it a bit of a rap.
The film is by French director Michel Gondry, genius behind such music film clips as Bjork's Human Behaviour, Daft Punk's Around The World, The Chemical Brothers' Star Guitar, Kylie Minogue's Come Into My World and The White Stripes' The Hardest Button To Button, among many others. It follows funny-man Dave Chappelle in documentary style as he organises a block party in the New York suburb of Brooklyn with hip-hop stars Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots, Big Daddy Kane and The Fugees. Chappelle also goes back to his hometown of Ohio and gives a bunch of local characters the opportunity to go to New York to join the party. However, most of the duration of the film is occupied by actual performances by the artists, juxtaposed with footage of Dave interviewing and jamming with the artists and fans.
Despite not being a huge hip hop fan myself, I found it to be a really fun, interesting and enjoyable film. It didn't have a plot or blatant message as such, and perhaps therefore lacked momentum, but I thought it was an uplifitng exposition of the spirit of the Brooklyn community empowered through their solidarity, their joy in dancing and the political themes in the music. I could appreciate that behind the whole bling "pimps and 'hos" image, there were culturally significant roots to (some) hip hop music. In fact, I even bought the soundtrack today, though I'm yet to listen to it.
For those who despise hip hop altogether I guess I'd advise against seeing the film as the performance footages get quite long, but if you find it tolerable then I think there's some enjoyment to be gained from it, if not for the music (there are also occasional jazzy bluesy bits) then for Chappelle's comicality.
Dave Chappelle's Block Party - Official Site
Director File - Michel Gondry
The film is by French director Michel Gondry, genius behind such music film clips as Bjork's Human Behaviour, Daft Punk's Around The World, The Chemical Brothers' Star Guitar, Kylie Minogue's Come Into My World and The White Stripes' The Hardest Button To Button, among many others. It follows funny-man Dave Chappelle in documentary style as he organises a block party in the New York suburb of Brooklyn with hip-hop stars Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots, Big Daddy Kane and The Fugees. Chappelle also goes back to his hometown of Ohio and gives a bunch of local characters the opportunity to go to New York to join the party. However, most of the duration of the film is occupied by actual performances by the artists, juxtaposed with footage of Dave interviewing and jamming with the artists and fans.
Despite not being a huge hip hop fan myself, I found it to be a really fun, interesting and enjoyable film. It didn't have a plot or blatant message as such, and perhaps therefore lacked momentum, but I thought it was an uplifitng exposition of the spirit of the Brooklyn community empowered through their solidarity, their joy in dancing and the political themes in the music. I could appreciate that behind the whole bling "pimps and 'hos" image, there were culturally significant roots to (some) hip hop music. In fact, I even bought the soundtrack today, though I'm yet to listen to it.
For those who despise hip hop altogether I guess I'd advise against seeing the film as the performance footages get quite long, but if you find it tolerable then I think there's some enjoyment to be gained from it, if not for the music (there are also occasional jazzy bluesy bits) then for Chappelle's comicality.
Dave Chappelle's Block Party - Official Site
Director File - Michel Gondry
posted by Yen @ 6:07 pm
3 Comments:
I saw that you commented on another of the mstu2000 blogs about the movie, and I came over here hoping for a review, and here it is - thanks!
You made it your msn name? That's awesome! Last.fm does sound a bit complex, but once it's set up, everything's there to use. If you have time, have a dig around the website (don't necessarily sign up), type in some artists you like and check out the similiar artists list. Hopefully you'll discover some cool, new music!
That was a fantastic review yen!
And I am intruiged by the film . . . maybe I will see one of these hangover days.
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