Hip Hop Revolution

Saturday, June 16-------One of the most popular sidebar sections at SILVERDOCS is the Best Music Documentary competition. This marriage between cinema and synchopation uses visual technique to give a deeper understanding of how music is evolving and the artists whose passion and commitment to expanding their art can either lead to personal tragedy or personal triumph. This year, six excellent films are competing, covering a wide range of musical styles and visual temperaments. Judging the films and determining the award winner is a stellar jury that includes actress/filmmaker Rosanna Arquette, filmmaker Joe Berlinger (METALLICA) and writer/designer Brian Liu. The winner will be announced later today at the Sterling Awards Competition awards ceremony at the AFI Silver Theater.

BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY AWARD COMPETITION

Broken MousetrapBUILDING A BROKEN MOUSETRAP/ USA (Director: Jem Cohen)—From the acclaimed filmmaker of INSTRUMENT, about the band Fugazi, comes an electric concert film featuring the Dutch band the Ex preceded by two lyrical shorts: NYC WEIGHTS AND MEASURES and BLESSED ARE THE DREAMS OF MEN. Washington, DC Premiere.

HIP HOP REVOLUTION / USA (Director: Weamm Williams)—Twenty-five year journey of hip hop in South Africa, from its birth on the Cape Flats to the political uprising in the 80s, giving youth a medium to express themselves and inspire pride when it was needed most. North American Premiere.

KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON /USA (Director: AJ Schnack)—A surprising portrait of the man behind the icon, Kurt Cobain, in his own words narrating this visually stunning film of his childhood, Nirvana’s sudden rise to fame, his controversial relationship with Courtney Love, and his struggles with pain and depression. Washington, DC Premiere.

Note By NoteNOMADAK Tx /Spain (Director: Raul De la Fuente)–The film follows two musicians as they traverse the world with a magical instrument, the Txalaparta. East Coast Premiere.

NOTE BY NOTE (THE MAKING OF STEINWAY L1037) / USA (Director: Benjamin Niles)—Steinway pianos are hand built in the Bronx. The builder imparts unique personality to each. This film elegantly shows the creation of Steinway L1037 and examines the process by which pianists select a Steinway Grand for performances. Washington, DC Premiere.

SCOTT WALKER 30 CENTURY MAN/UK (Director: Stephen Kijak)—With his wry lyrics and reclusive nature, Walker’s creative influence reaches further than his name, inspiring the likes of Bowie, Brian Eno, the Smiths, and Radiohead with his unusual tenor vibrato and melancholy songscapes. Washington, DC Premiere.

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Online Dailies Editor