From executive producer and
Grammy-nominated rapper Nasir “Nas” Jones and journalist-turned-filmmaker Adam Sjöberg comes the buoyant, globe-trotting film
"Shake The Dust."
The documentary chronicles the influence
of breakdancing, exploring how it strikes a resonant chord in the slums, favelas and ghettos of the world and far beyond with a universally-appealing energy.
As has been documented on this site, within the African continent, there are communities that have confronted established social structures, through this form of lyrical and dance expression, in order to challenge social inequality, and to push for social change. There have even been studies that look across the African continent, that explore the transformative impact of hip hop culture on the youth, in some cases inspiring the taking of a conscious and collective stand rooted in an awareness and immediacy.
Says the film’s website, "Hip-hop music, and the acrobatic breakdancing culture that arose in tandem with it, may have started on the streets of The Bronx, but their reach is now decidedly worldwide. With a propulsive soundtrack
of international hip-hop samples, music from both emerging emcees and established superstars like Nas, Common and
Talib Kweli, as well as some of the most
jaw-dropping breakdancing moves ever committed to film, ‘Shake The Dust’ is an inspiring tribute to the uplifting power of music and movement."
BOND/360 will theatrically release "Shake the Dust" starting on May 15th in Los Angeles, at the TCL Chinese Theater, to be followed by a national, limited theatrical release. The film will also be available on iTunes and additional VOD outlets on May 19, and can currently be rented or purchased exclusively on Vimeo On Demand through May 14.
Director Adam Sjöberg is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker whose work has taken him almost all over the world. His work has been featured by internationally at outlets like TED Talks, WIRED magazine, GOOD Magazine, and BBC News, among others.
Check out a clip from the film below, featuring a Ugandan b-boy, speaking on his local experience, followed by its trailer underneath:
