Music Documentary
Nas: Time Is Illmatic One9
The New York rapper Nas grew up in Queensbridge: counting almost 7,000 residents, it’s the largest and most infamous housing project in the United States. A place where dodging stray bullets was a part of everyday life, and where young peoples’ futures faced threats from many sides: if the trigger-happy cops or drug dealers didn’t get you, the incompetent teachers might. Influenced by his musically gifted father, jazz musician Olu Dara, young Nas – born Nasir Jones in 1973 – started to make socially aware hip-hop. After leaving school at 14, he entered the rap scene with his friend and neighbor Ill Will. When Ill Will was killed by a stray bullet, Nas decided to focus on music. At the time, the charts were dominated by lightweight R&B and danceable hip-hop; Nas gave a voice and a face to his generation of black youth from Queens. His first record Illmatic was released in 1994 and immediately became a milestone for the socially and politically aware stream of urban hip-hop. The film follows Nas in his old neighborhood and features interviews with his father, friends and colleagues from the music business. At the same time, this musical biopic is an engaging portrait of the “ghetto” in Queens, and the demotivating lives of its residents.
USA, 2014 DCP, color / black-and-white, 74 min
One9:
Director: One9 Cinematography: Frank Larson Screenplay: Erik Parker Editing: One9, David Zieff, John Kane Sound: Donny Tam Music: Brian Satz Production: Erik Parker & One9 & Anthony Saleh for ILLA Films World Sales: Submarine Entertainment Screening Copy: ILLA Films Website: www.timeisillmatic.com
Awards: Candescent Award Tribeca Film Institute
Spain, 2014 DCP, color / black-and-white, 92 min
Francisco Sanchez Varela:
directing debut
Paco de Lucía: A Journey Paco de Lucía: La búsqueda Francisco Sanchez Varela
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
A lively chronicle of the career of the brilliant Andalusian guitarist Paco de Lucía, who died suddenly in February of this year at the age of 66. He conquered the world by pushing the boundaries of traditional flamenco. This film covers 60 years of musical exploration, and personal development – all the way from the first time the penniless young Paco picked up a guitar in his birth city of Algeciras to the creation of his final album Canción Andaluza. The backbone of the film is formed by several interviews with Paco recorded from 2010 to 2014, in which he talks about his lifelong journey of musical discovery and his deep bond with flamenco. Sometimes we see his expressive face, and other times we hear his voice over a treasure trove of archive footage of many early performances, and of legendary exponents of flamenco José Greco, Sabicas, Niño Ricardo and Bambino Camarón. There are also street scenes in the cities he visits and old photos brought to life using a special depth effect. Fellow musicians praise his perfectionism and creativity, one remarking that “He goes from a run like a machine gun to a delicate thrill without losing the beat: that’s what I call controlling your emotions.”
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Director: Francisco Sanchez Varela Cinematography: Alejandro Garcia Flores, Carlos Garcia de Dios Editing: Jose M.G. Moyano, Darío Garcia Music: Paco de Lucia Narrator: Paco de Lucia Production: Casilda Varela Ampuero for Ziggurat Films Executive Production: Anxo Rodriguez & Lucía Sánchez Varela for Ziggurat Films Screening Copy: Ziggurat Films Involved TV Channel: Telecinco Cinema Website: www.pacodelucialabusqueda.com
directing debut