We are moving stories

“This is a film about our culture, and who has a right to use certain elements of it, and for what. Do our racial identities define who we are? Or are they secondary to the paths and beliefs that we choose for ourselves? These are broad, universal struggles that everybody has experienced at one point or another, but setting it in Atlanta, and examining the specific clash between South Asian and African-American culture (which was Venk’s experience growing up) lends it a totally unique point of view that is almost never seen on-screen.”

“Word Is Bond is a phrase born out of hip hop. Originally, the heartbeat of our film was hip hop, because hip hop is the song of resilience and survival. We realize, putting hip hop alone at the center of the conversation narrows the narrative. Hip hop is just one vehicle to express the feelings of oppression, and the rise despite of it. We want to capture art, as a whole, in its varying forms, as a tool to spark empathy, challenge perspectives, and showcase our power.”

“The nameless character in Ralph Ellison’s novel Invisible Man has a line that I believe speaks to the nature of Myeisha’s challenge: “I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves or figments of their imagination, indeed, everything and anything except me.””

“People should watch this film because these stories have not been told or exposed. Whenever you hear about West Coast Hip Hop, you only hear the stories about gangsta rap. Yes, that is part of our culture but it’s not all we are about. There is an entire world of hip hop that has influenced, not only LA, but the rest of the world. We were part of that community and we really felt that we were being overlooked and almost forgotten. Now, thanks to this film, those people and community finally have a voice.”

“Through DJ cutting and scratching the film plays like a visual hip-hop mixtape. The creative mission of the film is to take the viewer back in time to the early 80s and let them feel what it was like to experience a night at Eve After Dark.”

“I want independent creators to know art like this is possible. It can be done without a million dollar budget. If it’s your passion, you will find a way.”

“You should watch Lady Lash as you will learn insight into an Aboriginal woman’s life and perception together with the importance of ‘connecting to country’ which means for Aboriginal people going to their ancestral lands and spending time in the natural environment and community.”

“It was constantly evolving with each new person that entered the project and brought some new point of view to the film and is based on the free expression of the artists.”

“I came to discover Malta in the summer of 2017, through a Fulbright Fellowship... However, the country’s charm and music made me stay a while longer. Besides teaching, I was performing Spoken Word Poetry in and out of clubs and bars in the underground scenes in Malta. Through that, I discovered a group of Maltese musicians performing a one-of-a-kind ballad and it was called, Għana (pronounced A-na). Għana at my first listen sounded like something I had never heard before; my ears were stunned hearing high pitched noises coming from these men’s voices.”

“Muôi’s journey is a universal journey of self-discovery and desire to actualize beyond the circumstances they are born into.”

“In Guatemala, hip hop music is frowned upon by society, a rapper is constantly pointed out as a criminal. A key question would be why these artists want to make hip hop music even though society doesn’t regard them well?”

“We do realize that kids are the future. Similar to the definition of “home”, they are the stepping stone.”

“You love Japanese culture, Japan’s night life and dancing? Break The Scene Japan makes you dive deeply into the dancing culture around Tokyo.”

“The first time I saw Martha and Niki dance was on Youtube, I was instantly amazed even felt seduced… no.. almost obsessed! Both of them carried so much that needed out through dance. I felt so excited about their energy and decided to capture that on film. They’re very different as individuals, which makes their relationship the more interesting to explore. Their friendship really touches the viewer on so many emotional levels. I was instantly swept away by their friendship from scene one and caught myself laughing, crying…even dancing.”

“It is without a doubt, that many people in the UK have been affected by knife crime. I’m not sure how comparable it is to gun crime in the US, but it’s definitely too much. The murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 provided a huge shift in the racial dynamics in the UK, and this trend of crimes against people of colour shifting societal norms is showing no sign of slowing.”

“Fighter allows people to connect with the reality of misplaced aggression, anger and a subsequent tragedy that is so familiar but still devastating to inner city youth. Although the video itself does not present a solution to the issue of violence, it serves as a realistic depiction of what often happens in our neighborhoods. As people connect with the reality of the hurt felt by so many young people, they can choose to be part of the solution as mentors, artists and educators.”

“Through the personal journey of Neto and his reality in the hip hop culture in Curitiba´s outskirts, the film explores the classic theme of coming of age, a period full of possibilities, when everything is yet to be determined. It’s an age when many paths seem possible, but it’s hard to take the first step towards a specific one.”

“The person in the film, Akebaierjiang, is my close friend. He has been loving Hip-hop dancing since high school, through seven years of med school to today while working as an ER doctor. I spent two days with him during a holiday when I went back to my hometown. I saw him try to seize a couple of hours to practice dancing before a long night shift. I heard him talking about how he wants to quit the job as a doctor and to be a professional dancer, but he is afraid of this idea and he knows his family may consider him crazy.”

“The film captures a moment of creative, political, and collective virtuosity that is both inspiring and thought-provoking. The documentary offers an intimate and up-close view of the process as it unfolds, allowing you to become fully immersed in the experience of these young people fighting for their ideals with all their might, and trying to overcome precarious conditions.”

“If we love a culture, or intend to explore anything we should always look further into other cultures, countries, and people. The Hip-Hop culture is known as a fight, a fight for its own space, acknowledgement or even in its people’s daily battles beyond the music or arts. Prejudice is a strong word but I can say I’ve witnessed it while recording and living with N.E.S.T.”

“One should watch this film because it is like looking at yourself. All persons at some point in their lives have felt the fear of a family falling apart. Even though the adult conversation had nothing to do with you personally, and it was held behind “closed doors,” you still can feel it. We all have felt that way.”

“What I want the audience to take away from my film is the growth from street artist to actual gallery artist. I want the viewer to take that journey with me and feel a part of that journey. I also want to educate people about the positive side of street art and graffiti.”

“I grew up in the Bronx with graffiti all around me; the trains, alleys and handball courts were art galleries for me. Living now in South Florida, I’ve seen the power of street art in Miami’s popular Wynwood Arts District and how it can revitalize a community. The veteran graffiti artists in my film speak on the progression of graffiti to street art, which I personally found quite interesting.”

“It’s very honest and revealing and for those who don’t want to feel uncomfortable, then it’s not for them. For those who have been hurt, abused, undervalued or wounded, then this is the perfect movie of tenderness and love that can help them get through the pain and launch them into a future they deserve. Only when we accept the pain, can we get to the release and come to a deeper love, courage and completeness.”

“5Pointz has become a part of Queen’s history for over 40 years. A great collection of artists had fought for this place initially, despite it no longer being there. It has left a massive impression internationally, celebrating collaborative work. Louie speaks candidly about his connection to the work he’s contributed there and divulges into the secretive world of a graffiti artist.”

“It’s fascinating, unorthodox and I believe will both inspire and challenge your perception of what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be a graffiti writer. Both cultures can be misunderstood at times and this film breaks stereotypes while giving the audience insight to the history of graffiti in Australia and reasons why artists do it.”

“I wanted to document the evolution of Graffiti in Costa Rica since day one, later I decided to document the whole Central America region since we have a similar story and it is a forgotten part of the world.”

“Since graffiti/style writing is a global thing I would love for the film to not only show how Atlanta has its place in it all but also help people view the art form and its practitioners in a different, more positive light.”