Hip-hop Storm
Synopsis
This documentary is about two generations of Hip-hop.
“I’m 34 and I will continue to BATTLE until I win!” said Alun who has danced for 17 years. For him, Hip-hop is the whole life. In the 1990s Taiwan has just get rid of the authoritarian state. Regardless of doubt and pressure from the society, Alun and his partners established “The Party”, the first Hip-hop troupe in Taiwan, and released two records. Later when the troupe was dismissed for certain reasons and all other members went their separate ways, Alun went alone to Osaka, New York, Europe, Brazil, etc. to quest different Hip-hop souls.
The madman of Hip-hop is what Alun’s students call him. For those who aren’t familiar with him, it’s impossible to understand what he is trying to say and to know what he is really thinking. This documentary records his efforts in going to Paris to attend the world competition from 2007 to 2008. In order to earn the flight fee to Paris, he even taught dance. “As a dancer, I will deeply regret if I don’t come to compete in my life.” he said.
The other line of the story is about “Eight Children”, a Hip-hop troupe made of high school students from Taipei. They are born in 1990s, about half the age of Alun. This new generation of Hip-hop doesn’t suffer from doubt and pressure, but enjoy praise and encouragement. Then what are their dreams on Hip-hop? And what influence will Hip-hop have on them?
Members of “Eight Children” made an appointment before a year that they will attend the competition of Hip-hop after the College Entrance Examination. Are they going to win? If they win, will their life change? Is it possible that the big dream of youth is just a dream in the summer? Maybe, it can be summarized as YA has said, “I feel that it’s worth this summer”. The spirit of Hip-hop neither has to be too emotional, nor too serious. All in all, keep dancing.
Director
Lin Zhizhan
From Taipei. Major works include Hip-hop Storm, which was first released on CNEX Documentary Film Festival in Taipei.
