Hip-Hop Filmmaker Visits ...
by Eric Shapiro - Skidmore News 4-2-2010
At 7 p.m. on March 27 in Gannett Auditorium, director Matt Ruskin presented his critically acclaimed documentary film, "The Hip Hop Project," before ceding the floor to attendees for questions.
The film, released in 2006 to rave reviews after winning 16 film festival awards, centers around the youth outreach program of the same name.
After surviving a childhood on the streets and orphanages of the Bahamas, Chris "Kazi" Rolle made it his mission to help African American youths in similar situations find a creative outlet rather than turning to crime.
The outlet he had in mind was hip-hop. Countering the charge leveled by many cultural critics that the rap culture is inherently negative, Kazi refused to tolerate misogyny and glamorization of the "thug life."
Ruskin documents the Project as they set out to release a CD that captures their individual and collective experiences.
Along the way, the audience learns about the various individuals involved in the project, watching as they develop strong familial bonds, both with each other and relatives with whom they have bad relationships, something Kazi actively encourages.
For example, Christopher "Cannon" Map reconciles with his mother as she enters the final stages of multiple sclerosis. The film features guest appearances by producer Bruce Willis and Russell Simons, who donated a studio to the Project.
The "Hip Hop Project" is available on DVD.
The film, released in 2006 to rave reviews after winning 16 film festival awards, centers around the youth outreach program of the same name.
After surviving a childhood on the streets and orphanages of the Bahamas, Chris "Kazi" Rolle made it his mission to help African American youths in similar situations find a creative outlet rather than turning to crime.
The outlet he had in mind was hip-hop. Countering the charge leveled by many cultural critics that the rap culture is inherently negative, Kazi refused to tolerate misogyny and glamorization of the "thug life."
Ruskin documents the Project as they set out to release a CD that captures their individual and collective experiences.
Along the way, the audience learns about the various individuals involved in the project, watching as they develop strong familial bonds, both with each other and relatives with whom they have bad relationships, something Kazi actively encourages.
For example, Christopher "Cannon" Map reconciles with his mother as she enters the final stages of multiple sclerosis. The film features guest appearances by producer Bruce Willis and Russell Simons, who donated a studio to the Project.
The "Hip Hop Project" is available on DVD.