Jul 19 2008
Review of GV7, New Spoken word documentary film
GV7:Random Urban Static The Iridescent Equations of Spoken Word is an original feature length spoken word documentary by the Multi Award-Winning filmmaker Bob Bryan. It is the 7th release in the Graffiti Verite film series and follows a plethora of poets based in L.A. This film features national slam champions, Bridget Gray, Sekou (tha misfit), and Mollie Angelheart. Urban Static reflects the vastness of poetry and life.
It took a second viewing to understand the flow of this documentary. This may detour some who aren’t willing to give another two hours for viewing. This is not for those only satisfied by the ideas they can quickly understand. GV7 is not a product of the “MTV microwave age,” to quote Vejea Jennings. This film is visual poetry. There are moments that make you feel, what could have been shown and vice versa. It strength and its weakness is the fact that it is not straight forward. I enjoyed my second viewing more than the first. Just like poetry, Urban Static forces you to take another watch/listen to fully grasp the message. I appreciate the film because of the way it embodies the art form it is documenting.
The poetry displayed is phenomenal, truly representing an iridescent view of poetry in L.A. Hearing and viewing the processes of the poets will inspire spoken word artist who are birthing in this craft. The vets of the poetry world will be reminded of the reasons why they began to put pen to pad and recite.
It would of been nice to see more regions represented. Maybe a trip down to AZ, over to Nevada, Colorado, and Oregon (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) would provide a bigger picture poetry from the West Coast. Regardless, Urban Static is, and will stand as, an irreplaceable piece of Spoken Word History. I recommend this for anyone who wants to really understand spoken word poetry, if you are willing to watch it at least twice.
Des a.k.a. DLUX:THE LIGHT
S.W.H.H. Poet (Spoken Word Hip Hop)
www.dluxthelight.com
DLUX: THE LIGHT! Man, poet, producer, musician, husband, father, and friend from the beautiful city of Portland, OR.
