Thug Life Army

The Hip-Hop Association [H2A] is proud to collaborate with the esteemed Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) to provide a diverse segment of global Hip-Hop film programming from throughout the African Diaspora including Uganda, Morocco, Cuba, Sierra Leone, Australia, and the US. PAFF, one of the largest African film festivals in the U.S., will be held from February 7 - February 18 in Los Angeles, CA. 

Films screening in association with the Hip-Hop Association are listed below and will be taking place at the Magic Johnson Theaters: 4020 Marlton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: A UGANDAN HIP-HOP REVOLUTION Los Angeles Premiere

Director: Brett Mazurek

74 min., Uganda/US, 2007

Feb.14, 3:50pm / Feb.15, 10:45pm (Photography showcase 8:30pm-10:30pm)

The incredible journey of the hip-hop group the Bataka Squad, who use hip-hop to spread awareness of their country's troubles, and to offer positive alternatives for the youth. Narrator Michael Franti, of Spearhead, guides us through an incredible journey from the riot-torn streets of Uganda to remote villages in the countryside and finally to the concrete jungle of the United States. The voice of a new generation and heroes of their community, they are active, enthusiastic, and energetic young people more concerned about global change than the amount of change in their pockets. Their music teaches struggle with optimism and remaining positive against seemingly insufferable odds presenting a refreshing contrast to American commercialized "bling bling" gangster rap. Q&A.

**You can also check out artists featured in the film performing at an INTERNATIONAL HIP HOP SHOWCASE on Feb. 8  - Bataka Squad : Rah-P : Okai :Da Negus : Legezzin and other special guests at On The Rox above The Roxy, 9009 W Sunset Blvd, 9pm - 2am, $10 at the door

HIP-HOP: BEYOND BEATS AND RHYMES

Director: Byron Hurt

63 min., US, 2006

Feb.10, 8:55pm / Feb.18, 4:45pm

A riveting documentary that examines representations of gender roles in hip-hop and rap music. Conceived as a "loving critique" from a self-proclaimed "Hip-Hop Head," it tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today's hip-hop culture. Mos Def, Fat Joe, Chuck D, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons are interviewed; along with commentary from Michael Eric Dyson, Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Kevin Powell, and Sarah Jones. The complex intersection of culture, commerce and gender are revealed through on-the-street interviews with aspiring rappers and fans at hip-hop events throughout the country. The film provides thoughtful dialogue from intelligent, divergent voices of rap artists, industry executives, rap fans and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation.

BLING: A PLANET ROCK

Director: Raquel Cepeda

90 min., US, 2007

Feb.13, 9:00pm / Feb.16, 9:10pm

This documentary film focuses on the complex relationship between "blood" diamonds, conflict, the influence of Hip-Hop music and culture, and community development. It examines American Hip-Hop culture’s obsession with diamonds—“blinging”—and all its social trappings, and how this infatuation correlated with the ten-year civil war in Sierra Leone, West Africa in which over one million people were killed, maimed, raped or displaced. The film follows three rappers—Paul Wall, Tego Calderon, and Raekwon—as they trek to Sierra Leone to meet the survivors, perpetrators and diamond miners in the country. Making appearances are Kanye West, Ishmael Beah, Jadakiss, Bishop Don Juan, Johnny Dang, Big Daddy Kane, Tego Calderon, Raekwon, Paul Wall.

I LOVE HIP HOP IN MOROCCO

Director: Joshua Asen & Jennifer Needleman

80 min., US/Morocco, 2007

Feb.8, 5:30pm / Feb.18, 8:40pm

A group of Moroccan Hip Hop artists share a single dream: to rock a professional concert for a hometown crowd. Unfortunately, in addition to a lack of resources and freedom of speech, these young artists get virtually no support from their own society or cultural institutions. So, with the help of an American filmmaker, they appeal to the American Embassy for funding for the first Moroccan Hip Hop festival. Although the organizers face roadblocks along the way—diplomatic bureaucracy, disputes over money, unscrupulous stage-builders and general chaos of business in the Third World--they pull it off and the festival plays to massive crowds of young Moroccans in three cities, fulfilling the dream of the artists and catapulting Moroccan Hip Hop from the underground into the spotlight.

B.L.A.C.K.-AN ABORIGINAL SONG OF HIP HOP

Director: Grant Leigh Saunders

26 min., Australia, 2006

Feb.11, 6:30pm  / Feb.16, 1:35pm

B.L.A.C.K. is a cipher scribed by independent and Indigenous Hip Hop artist, Wire MC, who urges his audience to fathom what it might means to be Black in contemporary Australia. Through interview and observation, the song is visually and dialectically deconstructed to speak of contemporary theories of Aboriginal blackness, politics and culture.  This film explores the complexity of Aboriginal society through the seductive rhythm, rhyme and reason of the Hip Hop lyric. The film also demonstrates an active Aboriginal participation in Hip Hop on an underground level, revealing some amazing dance sequences and live performances by some very talented young Aboriginal MC's, B-Boys and B-Girls. It shows how traditional story telling and dance is being re-invented by adapting the elements of Hip Hop culture to enliven the quest to maintain traditional values, cultural knowledge, language and B.L.A.C.K. (Born Long Ago Creation's Keeper) pride.

SHORT RADIOGRAPHY OF HIP HOP IN CUBA

Director: Ricardo Bacallao

20 min., Cuba, 2004

Feb.10, 9:05pm / Feb.16, 4:15pm

Despite significant social change in Cuba, Blacks continue to be ostracized and subjugated by a colonial outlook. In 1995, a group of creative young people founded the Rap Festival; since then, the government has taken control of the Hip Hop movement, undermining its intentions. This is the story of struggle within a struggle waged by Black youths trying to maintain their voice and control the product of their culture and creativity. Q&A

THE ART OF LOVE AND STRUGGLE

Director: Jessica Habie

79 min., US, 2006

Feb.11, 1:10pm / Feb.13, 10:20pm

A film of passion, profiling 12 amazing women delves deep into the underground movement of female artistry. Artists, singers, emcees, activists, poets and writers come together in an explosive exploration of feminine creation. Independent-minded women with voices that must be heard, each lady brings to the screen her innermost struggles in an attempt to outline the obstacles that face the female artist. Based in New York City, this journey is narrated by the mystica Smokifantastic, and navigates the challenges of poverty, politics and personal sacrifice while exploring love, identity and urban culture. Features artists Raqiyah Mays, Amanda Diva, Helena D. Lewis, Claudia Alick, Elizabeth Mendez Berry, Toni Blackman, Nemesis, Denise De La Cruz, Vista, Kyana Brindle and Rosa Clemente.

BLACK AND BLUE: LEGENDS OF THE HIP HOP COP

Director: Peter Spirer

86min., US, 2005

Feb.12, 8:00pm

Retired first-grade NYPD detective Derrick Parker established a so-called "Rap Intel" unit following the murder of Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. The unit became officially sanctioned in 2000. In 2004, word of Parker's secret unit was leaked to the press, unleashing a firestorm of controversy. Members of the hip-hop community--under girded by media outlets ranging from the Village Voice and Newsweek to the Miami Herald--argued that the NYPD's rap unit blurred the line between monitoring and profiling. The ACLU launched a crusade against "hip-hop surveillance," which they deemed the "the new Cointelpro." Via exclusive, in-depth interviews with Parker--as well as rappers, security guards, civil rights activists and other members of the hip-hop community—viewers are taken inside the so-called "hip-hop

patrol" in New York City and Miami. Narrated by Saul Williams. Q&A

About The Pan African Film and Arts Festival

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) was founded in 1992 as a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression. It is the PAFF’s goal to present and showcase a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. The PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate

dialogue on the important issues of our times.

More info can be found at www.paff.org

For tickets, passes, and full festival details, please visit www.paff.org

About The Hip Hop Association

Formed in 2002, the Hip-Hop Association [H2A] is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community building organization and Union Square Arts Award recipient. The H2A educates and empowers the community through the use of media, technology, resources, social entrepreneurship, and leadership development. The mission of the H2A is to facilitate critical thinking, foster constructive social change and unity to instill tolerance, civic participation, social reform, and economic sustainability, while advancing Hip-Hop's culture through innovative programming.

More info can be found at www.hiphopassociation.org