4 NYC SCREENINGS!

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: MAYSLES CINEMA
343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave
City/Town: New York City

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: MAYSLES CINEMA
343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave
City/Town: New York City

Date: Friday, September 25, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: MAYSLES CINEMA
343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave
City/Town: New York City

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: MAYSLES CINEMA
343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave
City/Town: New York City

SYNOPSIS: African Underground: Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political process. Originally shot as a seven part documentary mini-series released via the internet – the documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film and explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process

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Groundbreaking documentaries about hip hop in Africa to screen at 2nd Annual Bootleg Festival 

Brooklyn, NY – As the term “global hip hop” becomes increasingly ubiquitous in pop culture and political media, it is no coincidence that this September will see the screenings of Democracy in Dakar and HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana at the World Beats Life 2nd  Annual Bootleg Festival in Washington, DC.  

Democracy in Dakar, an award-winning documentary, exposes audiences to the gritty, raw side of Senegalese music and politics through the eyes of the youth-driven hip hop culture. The film chronicles the lived experiences on the streets of Dakar before and after the controversial 2007 presidential elections. Following rappers, journalists, DJs, professors, and others, Democracy in Dakar intimately captures the fluidity and intensity of emotion surrounding the election.  

“We see hip hop as a means by which we can mobilize the fight for fair and free democracy,” says Baay Musa, one of the artists featured in the film. “Hip hop is a powerful non-violent weapon that can externalize what’s in the hearts of frustrated, disillusioned youth. Complacency often comes from ignorance, so we want to get our message out to as many people as possible.”

HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana documents the Ghanaian group V.I.P. (Vision In Progress) and their growth during a ten year time period. In recent years, hip hop has merged with High-Life, the traditional music of West Africa, and this fusion has led to the birth of a new genre called HipLife. From the ghetto in Accra to their first international tour, the viewer sees the members of this internationally-acclaimed HipLife group grow from teenagers with a shared dream to musicians with fans around the world.

Both films will be screened at the 2nd Annual Bootleg Festival: Mixtapes, Films & Hip-Hop’s Underground Economy hosted by Words Beats & Life. HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana will be shown Friday, September 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the True Reformer Building, 1200 U Street, NW for $5.Democracy in Dakar will be shown Saturday, September 19, at 2:00 p.m. at The Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street, NW at no cost. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with artists Papa Moussa Lo and Baay Musa, actvist Abdoulaye Aw, and co-directors of the film Benjamin Herson and Magee McIlvaine. Take Green line to U St / African-American Civil War Memorial / Cardozo for both locations.  

Democracy in Dakar is a Nomadic Wax / Sol Productions film. Nomadic Wax is a fair trade record label and film, music, and educational events production company specializing in socially conscious global urban music and media. Sol Productions is a non-profit film production company that works to educate American and global audiences on themes that may never reach them through traditional education, corporate media, or Hollywood films.  

HomeGrown: HipLife in Ghana is Clenched Fist Productions film by Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi. Clenched Fist Productions embodies the true spirit of hip hop, which is to build something that is powerful and useful out of what is seemingly impossible. CFP, like hip hop culture, continues to give voice to people who refuse to be silenced, ignored and cut off from the larger society. 

Contact:

Benjamin Herson

ben@nomadicwax.com

644 20th Street

Brooklyn, NY 11218

Ph: 917-225-8472

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MOVIE: Hillyer Art Space is screening the documentary Democracy in Dakar, and will hold a panel discussion following the film with Magee Mcilvaine (co-producer/director), Chris Moore (co-producer/director), and Baay Musa (Senegalese MC and star of the film) for $5, 6-8 p.m.

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Saturday,
August 15
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Frekuensia Kolombiana
Vanessa Goksch, 2006, 58 min.
Takes a look at the world of Colombian hip-hop and perhaps more interestingly its link to the exploration of an Afro Columbian legacy and tradition. Artists include Tribu Omerta, Por Razones de Estado, and Zona Marginal.

Democracy in Dakar
Magee, McIlvaine, Chris Moore, Ben Herson 2008, 69 min.
Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political process. Originally shot as a seven part documentary mini-series released via the internet – the documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film and explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process.
MAYSLES CINEMA
343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave (Between 127th and 128th Streets)

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Click here for the Facebook Event

Wednesday, August 26th
6-8 (or 9 depending on what you need)
Our address is 9 Hillyer Ct. NW, D.C.
$5 Admission

Additional info that may help:
2 blocks from the North/Q st. Exit of the Dupont Circle Metro
202-338-0680
Artsandartists.org

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