In the media:
Sharing “Hip Hop Hope” – Documentary spotlights music and activism in Waterloo Region
Dozens of musicians and community leaders share struggles and victories in a new film by Sara Geidlinger.
Waterloo, Ontario - [July 1, 2024]
Hip Hop Hope, a new documentary that explores underground rhythms and anti-racism in Waterloo Region’s hip hop culture, had its first screenings June 15 at the Kitchener Public Library at the Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference and June 18 at the Princess Twin Cinemas, and is now travelling to Finland for presentation at the ISME World Conference
Both screenings featured discussions with filmmaker Sara Geidlinger (creator of Playtime: The Movie, a documentary recently featured during opening night of the Grand River Film Festival) as well as stars and producers of the film Jon Corbin, Sam Nabi and Dr. Lee Willingham.
“I’m thrilled and honoured to provide a new avenue for the amazing artists and creators in our local hip hop community to share their stories,” says Geidlinger, who interviewed dozens of musicians – including established stars and emerging talent – over the past two years in creating the film. “Their stories differ greatly but what everyone shares is a belief that hip hop music and culture can be forces of positive social change.”
With intimate interviews and dynamic musical performances, Hip Hop Hope amplifies voices including Jon Corbin, Sam Nabi, DJ Aji, Vekked, Elaquent, Shad, Selam Debs, KW Breakers, Sandra Tyler, Es, Anthony Sawyers, Tait Garrett, Creo, Just Ideas, Dom Vallie, Young Lungs, Life of Dreamerz, Ramsay Almighty and more.
The film asks serious questions about the importance of a vibrant music scene to the health of a community, and poses real solutions to empowering youth with the positive power of music.
Jon Corbin, a hip hop artist and educator featured in the documentary, says “It is my favourite kind of movie — the ones that call us to do more for our communities.”
Press Coverage:
The Mike farewell Show 570 News Wednesday May 22nd 2024
The Waterloo Region Record Anti-racism explored in Kitchener hip-hop doc
The Morning Edition - K-W with Craig Norris | Live Radio | CBC Listen
Midtown Community Radio - On the Scene
Contact: Sara Geidlinger
Email: Sara@Sarageidlinger.com
Web: https://www.sarageidlinger.com/
Sara is currently completing a master’s degree in Community Music at Wilfrid Laurier University. Hip Hop Hope received financial support in 2022 from Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s Arts Grants Fund, which, since 2020 has been providing funding to small or medium sized arts organizations and collectives, as well as projects focused on the arts. Support from The Kitchener Public Library, specifically the Commons Studio, has ensured that any equipment needed for the film was accessible. Hip Hop Hope was made with research support from Wilfrid Laurier University and funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, which is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and training in the humanities and social sciences.
