On Thursday, September 18, 2008, the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) partners with the Manifesto Festival of Music & Art, one of the largest and most unique hip hop festivals in Canada, to co-present the Manifesto Film Festival. The festival kicks off at 7 pm with a preview screening of the festival documentary Manifesto (2008), followed by two additional film programs. Manifesto’s artists and DJs will be on the ROM’s Bloor Street Plaza from 6 pm to 11 pm. Films take place in the Museum’s Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre. Tickets are $10 and are available at the ROM’s Loblaws (south) Entrance on day of event. For advance tickets and more information visit www.themanifesto.ca
Manifesto Film Festival line-up:
7 pm – Preview screening of MANIFESTO (2008) (45 minutes). The Manifesto Team, in documenting Toronto hip hop and unearthing its hidden gems has been documenting Toronto hip hop and is having a sneak preview of where the film is currently unearthing hidden gems development stage, followed by moderated 30 minute feedback discussion. Admission by invitation only. (Email documentary@themanifesto.ca for more information.)
9 pm – 4REAL: City of God (2007) (22 minutes) with introduction by co-creator Josh Thome.
Mos Def rolls into Rio’s infamous City of God with Sol Guy, where Brazil’s #1 rap artist, MV Bill, shows how his program empowers favela youth through the art of hip-hop.
Falcão: Meninos do Tráfico (2006) (60 minutes)
MV Bill’s Falcão reveals the daily routine of boys involved in the drug trade, exposing the underbelly of Brazil and the marginalization of those living in its favelas.
11 pm – Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (2000) (74 minutes), followed by Q &A with director Kevin Fitzgerald. The film presents the life, music and history of the underground culture of improvisational hip-hop. Featuring Mos Def, Notorious B.I.G., the Roots, and the Last Poets, this explosive documentary is packed with rare and archival footage of some of the most amazing MC’s ever to “bless the mic”.
ROM’s Bloor Street Plaza from 6 pm to 11 pm
Live visual art by: Starship (HVW8), Dstrbo (HVW8), Elicser, CFC Media Lab (Rob King)
With DJs: DJ X, Son of S.O.U.L, InsideAmind, DJ Mensa, Mister Grumpy
In celebration of the Manifesto Festival of Music & Art, patrons of the ROM’s c5 Restaurant Lounge can enjoy artistic photographic images of South Asian market life by Manifesto Executive Director, Che Kothari, on new Versa-tile technology as well as a new bar and drink menu inspired by South Asian daily life and cuisine.
About Manifesto Festival of Film & Art:
This four-day event takes place at venues across Toronto from September 18 to 21, 2008 and features live musical performances, visual arts exhibitions, hip-hop documentaries and karaoke, a street dance competition, as well as multidisciplinary workshops. This is the 2nd annual Manifesto Festival. More information at www.themanifesto.ca
Institute for Contemporary Culture:
The Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) plays a vital role at the ROM, a museum whose collections embrace many civilizations through the ages. As the ROM documents history, the ICC is the ROM's window on contemporary society, exploring current cultural issues through exhibitions of art, lectures, film series, and informal gatherings. For more information on the ICC, visit www.rom.on.ca/about/icc