www.vpro.nl/lees/nieuws/big-fun-in-the-big-town.html

“A musical treasure… Each scene is packed with history.”
– USA Today, Whitney Matheson

“An effortless 40 minutes of rarefied history.”
– Pitchfork, Dave Tompkins

“The best hip-hop movie you’ve never seen… the barrage of highlights doesn’t let up.”
– Wax Poetics, Andrew Mason (Monk One)

“Not unlike The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, but focusing on New York’s nascent ‘rap’ culture circa 1986, Dutch filmmaker Bram Van Splunteren’s extraordinary documentary is an affectionate ‘old skool’ time-capsule of hip-hop’s hometown.”
– Paper Magazine, Richard Metzger

“DVD TO BE RELEASED MAY 22, 2012
GROUNDBREAKING 1986 HIP-HOP DOCUMENTARY IS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS

New York, 1986: a city of big dreams and equally big problems. Like New York itself, hip-hop music encompassed both of these human conditions. But hip-hop and its cultural birthplace shared other important characteristics, too: the desire to always be original, a hustle-to-survive ambition, and – if the stars aligned – the ability to come out on top, no matter what the odds.

Dutch filmmaker, journalist and rap fanatic Bram Van Splunteren stepped into the city for one intense week in 1986. He was armed with five things: a camera crew, a map, a deep respect for the hip-hop artform, a list of phone numbers, and a burning desire to get to the bottom of what this still-growing subculture was all about. By the time he left, he had the answers he needed, along with a treasure trove of golden video footage. Tragically, these images never returned from Europe, languishing in obscurity from hip-hop’s homeland for more than a quarter-century. Until now.

Big Fun in the Big Town is about hip-hop when artistry in the game was still at its center. When skills, not hype, got you your first record deal. When Run-DMC took the reins from Doug E Fresh and Grandmaster Flash, paving the way for hundreds of other hitmakers to follow. When a chart-topping LL Cool J still lived with his Grandmother. When the Latin Quarter was the club to be at on any weekend night. And when artists from all backgrounds could taste their own pop-chart dreams, just beyond their reach but still seemingly attainable.

This essential, fast-paced documentary shows hip-hop from just about every angle, and approaches its subjects with a journalistic sobriety and respect rarely given to this oft-misunderstood artform and culture, even to this day. It presents worldwide superstars and aspiring rappers, dancers and beatboxers on an even playing field, reminding us that rap was once a wide-open game for anyone with talent to grab at the brass ring of fame.

Commercially available for the first time ever after more than 25 years, Big Fun in the Big Town is nothing short of a revelation.”

ORDER YOUR DVD HERE:
www.amazon.com (usa)

hhv.de (europe)

Thema uitzending VPRO, 17 december 2011, 20.45 u Nederland 3

Een hit op Uitzendinggemist, na 1 week al ruim 40.000 views!