Hip hop’s cultural dominance is unrivaled in today’s society. The influence of the movement that has blossomed from the streets of the Bronx in the middle of the 20th century has risen to monolithic proportions across the globe – and not only in music. Our fashion, our design, even the way we speak, are all peppered with the soul of the movement and its evolution from humble street corner reflections to big money hooks and diamond-grilled ridiculousness. Shake the Dust is the necessary film that traces hip hop’s roots by looking at the present– a necessary introspection that recaptures the original energy of a divided genre.

Shake the Dust is a documentary that follows an ensemble of hip-hop listening, breakdancing crews all over the world. Hopping between slums and impoverished inner city environments in Uganda, Columbia, Yemen and Cambodia, director Adam Sjöburg showcases the talents of youth who find an escape in the rhythms of hip hop culture. Shot with stalwart and spirited energy, the film is a patchwork of the children’s stories of hope and their rather impressive dance routines on their dusty neighborhood streets.

Shot with stalwart and spirited energy, the film is a patchwork of the children’s stories of hope and their rather impressive dance routines on their dusty neighborhood streets.

The film’s necessity comes from its enthusiastic look at the soul of hip hop. One that, in America, is slowly diminishing or becoming misconstrued. If anything, the film reveals that hip hop is a healing force – a storytelling device for young communities. This concept, often forgotten by the dollar-sign-eyed rappers of the modern hip-hop incarnation shines in Shake the Dust. Sjöburg is gifted in finding and sharing these young talents with the audience and linking the kindred spirits of breakdancers across the globe.

As energizing as the dancing may be, Shake the Dust feels stuck on repeat very early in the film. There is a lot of energy to the stories in this film though there is a lack of dialogue beyond the film’s surface subject. It’s understandable that a documentary about break dancing would be jammed with dance montages, but for an hour and a half it may be a bit too much. The dancing is the glue between each community though there is a lack of distinguishing philosophy behind each one. This communal nature of Shake the Dust is, however, what makes it sail across continents: a small, though important, victory for good old hip hop.

Shake the Dust opens in Los Angeles at the TCL Chinese Theater today, followed by a national, limited theatrical release. The film will be available on iTunes and additional VOD outlets on May 19.

https://vimeo.com/124246503