Completed - ENGLISH - Documentary - 88 minutes
Rapping with Shakespeare is a modern day hip-hop version of Shakespeare's tales, exploring the lives of 5 South Central LA teenagers attending Crenshaw High School. The students' personal stories subtly parallel Shakespeare's archetypal characters.
Year of production : 2008 Director(s) : Michael KING Writer(s) : Michael KING Producer(s) : Charisse RENEAU, Michael KING (Michael King Productions)
Rapping with Shakespeare also examines how English teacher Andy Molnar uses the students' popular culture, hip-hop/rap, to access Shakespeare. He teaches how the lyrics are put together poetically incorporating urban themes to form cultural and social identities. The film also features world-renowned choir leader and music teacher Dr Iris Stevenson (the inspiration for the feature film Sister Act 2). Rapping with Shakespeare is a powerful, compelling and dramatic tale of the young people of Crenshaw High School as they struggle to achieve their dreams while coping with the universal teenage problems of violence, sexual relationships, insecurity, loneliness and embattled, mercurial identity.
Country(ies) : USA