Untitled Document

Dave Chappelle's Block Party screening @ Ritzy Cinema, Brixton -Wednesday 21 June, 2006

Reviewed by Sophia Jackson

On June 21, bfm mobile film club in conjunction with Progressive Entertainment held a preview screening of ‘Dave Chappelle's Block Party’. Believe the hype. That’s my advice to anyone thinking about going to see US funny man Dave Chappelle’s documentary. The dream line up included Mos Def, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Common, Erykah Badu, a Fugees reunion, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, The Roots, Cody Chestnutt and Big Daddy Kane.

The feature-length documentary is hosted and written by top comedian Chappelle and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michel Gondry [‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’]. This brain staining film, shot on location, provides entertainment via a music, comedy and film combination that leaves the cinema audience wanting to give their right leg or arm, to have been at Dave’s party.

To get in, you had to have a one of just 900 special gold tickets, some of which Chappelle personally gave out, Willy Wonka-style to some lucky mother f**kers. Others said they found out on the Internet or were sent an email from those in the know. Chappelle actually went to his hometown in Ohio to find privileged invitees including a diversity of odds and sods from an orchestra and local shopkeepers to teenagers and little old ladies. Chappelle and his new best friends performed in a Brooklyn neighbourhood on a rainy September’s day and night in 2004. The generous one kindly provided transport for his guests, many of whom were Brooklyn first-timers.

In the beginning of the film, Chappelle explains that he put the gig on to recreate the block parties of back in the day, where neighbours of all ages would hang out listening to music and he wanted to recreate this community spirit. The movie manages to show the community vibe that this one-off spectacular event brings about through behind the scenes interviews with the some of the hottest musical talent to come out of the US. The stars are able to show bits of their true personalities without the glitz and glamour they can often be draped in. From Erykah Badu’s stage dive, to one-off duets with Common and Erykah Badu or Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, and even The Fugees coming together again for the first time in seven years; this movie is one for the home collection, marked ‘Do not remove’.

What makes this visual feast so unique is that the line up included a rare breed of talent, some of whom have been friends for numerous years who choose to sing about subjects not concentrated around sex, drugs and violence. Interviews with the crowd and performers before, after and during the event is proof enough that Chappelle got his magic formula spot on, leaving them and us with the imprint of one of the most positive musical collaborations of our time. No wonder Chappelle called it the ‘best single day’ of his career, because you’ve got to be something of a genius to pull off a gig like that.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party is on general release from June 30, 2006.

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	Dave Chappelle's Block Party screening @ Ritzy Cinema, Brixton -Wednesday 21 June, 2006 Reviewed by Sophia Jackson On June 21, bfm mobile film club in conjunction with Progressive Entertainment held a preview screening of ‘Dave Chappelle's Block Party’. Believe the hype. That’s my advice to anyone thinking about going to see US funny man Dave Chappelle’s documentary. The dream line up included Mos Def, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Common, Erykah Badu, a Fugees reunion, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, The Roots, Cody Chestnutt and Big Daddy Kane. The feature-length documentary is hosted and written by top comedian Chappelle and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michel Gondry [‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’]. This brain staining film, shot on location, provides entertainment via a music, comedy and film combination that leaves the cinema audience wanting to give their right leg or arm, to have been at Dave’s party. To get in, you had to have a one of just 900 special gold tickets, some of which Chappelle personally gave out, Willy Wonka-style to some lucky mother f*kers. Others said they found out on the Internet or were sent an email from those in the know. Chappelle actually went to his hometown in Ohio to find privileged invitees including a diversity of odds and sods from an orchestra and local shopkeepers to teenagers and little old ladies. Chappelle and his new best friends performed in a Brooklyn neighbourhood on a rainy September’s day and night in 2004. The generous one kindly provided transport for his guests, many of whom were Brooklyn first-timers. In the beginning of the film, Chappelle explains that he put the gig on to recreate the block parties of back in the day, where neighbours of all ages would hang out listening to music and he wanted to recreate this community spirit. The movie manages to show the community vibe that this one-off spectacular event brings about through behind the scenes interviews with the some of the hottest musical talent to come out of the US. The stars are able to show bits of their true personalities without the glitz and glamour they can often be draped in. From Erykah Badu’s stage dive, to one-off duets with Common and Erykah Badu or Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, and even The Fugees coming together again for the first time in seven years; this movie is one for the home collection, marked ‘Do not remove’. What makes this visual feast so unique is that the line up included a rare breed of talent, some of whom have been friends for numerous years who choose to sing about subjects not concentrated around sex, drugs and violence. Interviews with the crowd and performers before, after and during the event is proof enough that Chappelle got his magic formula spot on, leaving them and us with the imprint of one of the most positive musical collaborations of our time. No wonder Chappelle called it the ‘best single day’ of his career, because you’ve got to be something of a genius to pull off a gig like that. Dave Chappelle's Block Party is on general release from June 30, 2006.* Return To Concert Review Archive
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