Review: The Furious Force of Rhymes

5.0

0.0 (0)

A fantastic documentary by Joshua Atesh Litle that traces the story of global hip hop, as told by those involved in the scene in many different locations. Looking the origins of hip hop, the film takes the audience on a global journey from the US, France, Germany, Palestine and Senegal.

This is a marvelous and exceptionally well-told documentary about the rise and rise of global hip hop, from its popular roots (not necessarily traditional) in the Bronx and New York City, through to its infiltration in French culture and beyond, this is a story with a powerful and well-executed message.

Both as a form of music and culture, hip hop and associated sub-genres have shaped and defined a political and social movement through the last 4 decades. This has given rise to not only a global movement, but a distinct and almost cultural channel of protest.

From Paris, where social and racial tensions are at a general flashpoint, to Germany and her difficult modern realities through to the complex social environment of Occupied Palestine and finally to Dakar’s (Senegal) feminists, this is a story about not only protest, but of hope for change.

Hip hop’s protest and underlying message appears, fundamentally to globally deliver a message of hope in the power of change and is the perfect medium for that message to deliver it to an audience. Litle’s direction, mixing raw live performance footage, music video-style shoots and interviews is as engaging as it is entertaining.

This is a film that could’ve easily been contrived, static and two-dimensional story-telling. Instead Litle delivers us a human story that speaks profoundly to its audience. It’s not often that documentaries about hip hop and rap culture are made that aren’t clichéd – this is one of those gems that turns up from time to time that should be cherished.

The Furious Force of Rhymes is an amazing documentary with a soundtrack that matches the visual quality and above all else, is made with passion and therefore honesty.

Editor review

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