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Friday, January 20, 2012

Film Short Film Fridays

Posted by Charles Mudede on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 4:42 PM

The short for this week is Kahil Joseph’s “Black Up,” a “short film that portrays a fever dream induced by the music Shabazz Palaces.” Shot in New York City and Puerto Rico, “Black Up” is the second numinous film Joseph has made with Shabazz Palaces—the first hiphop act to be signed to Sub Pop.

What one commenter had to say about “Black Up”: “If Terrence Malick had grown up in the hood, this is what the Tree of Life would have looked like.” I personally think "Black Up" is better than all of The Tree of Life, but the point made is meaningful. Malick wants to capture that area of life that knocks any ordinary moment of life out of the ordinary. Joseph work does capture such moments, but in a context that's utterly urban.

Comments (5) RSS

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Shabazz rocks

Posted by Will in Seattle

on January 20, 2012 at 7:09 PM

Charles, how many of your SLOG posts have mentioned or been about "The Tree of Life?"

Posted by Matt from Denver on January 20, 2012 at 9:07 PM

kind of hate this film.

tired of kahil having to use multiple songs in one short in order to try and keep it compelling. the music is great.

Posted by not impressed on January 21, 2012 at 9:09 AM

hate this film.

tree of life it is.

tired of kahil having to mash several great songs together to try and keep interest in his films. and does every film have to invert the camera. just reads as a gimmick regardless of the obvious beauty.

Posted by not impressed on January 21, 2012 at 9:16 AM

The first hiphop "act" signed to SubPop records was Evil Tambourines. Their LP "Library Nation" from 1999 is definitely worth a dip. Features very interesting confluences of local punk, beatnik and hiphop grooves.

Posted by Rich Jensen