Rize

Review by Clint Morris

It mightn't make you tap your sneakers (or, in my case, run to the back of the theatre and attempt a rad prepubescent cartwheel) like Footloose did, or even have you imitating the memorable 'finger point' from Flashdance (um, not that I did), but one thing's for sure - you'll definitely be immersed in the music of Rize.

Its soaking in beat, immersed in rhythm and blistering with energy.

Directed by David LaChapelle (that's LaChapelle, not Dave Chappelle!), this raw doco centres on the populace of civil-war-torn South Central Los Angeles.

While most snigger when they see a group of hoods rapping, breaking-it-down or busting a move on a street corner - this movie explains why they do such things.

Seems it's a way to unleash their anger, express their emotion and vent their aggravation. After seeing what some of the folks have to go through day-to-day, you'll praise their manner of emit - it's nothing but a positive outlet.

There's some truly intriguing characters here - notably, a guy called Tommy Johnson (or Tommy the Clown). He's a reformed drug dealer whose bought clowning and dancing back to the hood, in the wake of the Rodney King verdict of '92 and the L.A riots, and brings nothing but good to the community as he leads the charge and encourages uncultivated dancing to release frustration.

How sad it is when he returns home one day to see that his home has been ransacked. Not fair at all.

An incredibly powerful movie that'll stay with you for years, Rize is a contender for the best documentary of the year. It's got my vote.

4 out of 5

Rize
Australian release: Thursday the 10th of November, 2005
Cast: Tommy Johnson, Dragon, Tight Eyez, Lil C, Ms. Prissy, El Nino.
Director: David LaChapelle.
Website: Click here.

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