Sunday, May 29, 2011

LYRICAL EMPIRE: THE MOVIE

Lyrical Empire: Hip Hop in Metro Manila from FilAm Funk Productions on Vimeo.


2 years ago, when I moved to Singapore I chance upon meeting Mark V online. He had asked about the hiphop scene in the Philippines as he was trying to get a grant to film something in the motherland. After a trip back home, during my last day he was actually flying in -- I told some people to take care of him and show him around. He shot what was necessary for his piece and took off.

He entered this short film into some festivals and gave us range - this film was viewed by countless other races besides Filipinos back home. According to him, we would stir questions and discussions during open forums after viewing the film. No one from where he was thought all this hiphop shit going on in the motherland was even possible - and for it to be as good as it is showed us in a whole different light. While it is interesting to know what our Filipino counterparts thought of our struggles, we also welcome the interest of these foreigners.

This film features the likes of The Philippine All Stars, LDP, Blaze n Kane, Dash, your favorite artists from Turbulence Productions and a whole lot more.

And at last, Mark V is opening this film for public viewing - it was launched and had an intimate screening back in December via Jerome B Smooth, and it went really well. I hope you give this film a chance and enjoy the lessons learned, regardless how minuscule it might be. Here are some words from the producer/director/visionaire of the film.


FROM MARK V: Take a glimpse into the lives of hip hop artists from a country where hip hop culture is under constant scrutiny from a skeptical public. What will it take for these artists to prove their skills? Will hip hop become big in the Philippines, or will it be forever discarded as "jologs," underclass, and uncultured? These hardworking hip hop heads show you the passion and style they bring to the game where lyrical boundaries blur and innovation is prized.

I'm honored to have worked with such amazing artists and visionaries for this film. Please visit the Lyrical Empire label for more information about this project, including past screenings. Screenings and discussions are continuing in classrooms all over the country!




VISIT MARK V's BLOG HERE
VISIT MARK V's FACEBOOK AND LEAVE FEEDBACKS HERE




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