Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money. This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.
Live on Earth (2004)
Live show of the Punk Rock band Uncommonmenfrommars that took place in 2004 at Ris Orangis (France). Recorded by David Basso. Mixed by Ryan Greene.
The Boys & Girl from County Clare (2003)
In Ireland in the mid 1960s, two feuding brothers and their respective Ceilidh bands compete at a music festival.
Still Crazy (1998)
In the seventies Strange Fruit were it. They lived the rock lifestyle to the max, groupies, drugs, internal tension and an ex front man dead from an overdose. Even their demise was glamorous; when lightning struck the stage during an outdoor festival. 20 years on and these former rock gods they have now sunk deep into obscurity when the idea of a reunion tour is lodged in the head of Tony, former keyboard player of the Fruits. Tony sets out to find his former bandmates with the help of former manager Karen to see if they can recapture the magic and give themselves a second chance.
Wenn's um Liebe geht (2019)
After a singing performance at a wedding, Laura receives the offer to perform at a song contest.
August Rush (2007)
Lyla and Louis, a singer and a musician, fall in love, but are soon compelled to separate. Lyla is forced to give up her newborn but unknown to her, he grows up to become a musical genius.
clipping. live for no audience during a global pandemic (2021)
In this pandemic-era concert film, clipping. (aka Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes) perform a collection of their greatest hits, as well as numerous tracks off their acclaimed 2020 album, Visions of Bodies Being Burned. Due to the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus, this concert was performed for no audience at Coaxial Arts in Los Angeles, California.
Rock 'n' Roll Frankenstein (1999)
The movie follows Bernie, a record producer who persuades his nephew Frankie to create a new rock star that will help Bernie overcome his work related ennui. Iggy, the burnt out roadie pillages the graves of various celebrities such as Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, and Sid Vicious, using the head of Elvis Presley to top things off.
El amor y la muerte (2018)
Documentary that recreates the biography of the Catalan composer and pianist Enrique Granados (1867-1916), his trips to Madrid, Paris and New York, his sensitive nature, the struggle to make his way in life despite the family economic straits and his first successes The story, built from vintage images, is interspersed with versions of the Granados repertoire by interpreters such as Rosa Torres-Pardo, Evgeny Kissin, Cañizares, Arcángel, Rocío Márquez, Carlos Álvarez and Nancy Fabiola Herrera, among others.
The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir (2014)
Drop out of school to ride with the Merry Pranksters. Form America’s most enduring jam band. Become a family man and father. Never stop chasing the muse. Bob Weir took his own path to and through superstardom as rhythm guitarist for The Grateful Dead. Mike Fleiss re-imagines the whole wild journey in this magnetic rock doc and concert film, with memorable input from bandmates, contemporaries, followers, family, and, of course, the inimitable Bob Weir himself.
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose.
Vegg Vegg Vegg (2022)
Norway's most popular duo Karpe, invest all their money and time in an immersive show to be performed for only 100 people. What is meant as a gift to the fans and a creative awakening after 20 years as artists, almost costs them their careers and their friendship.
You, the Living (2007)
In the Swedish city of Lethe, people from different walks of life take part in a series of short, deadpan vignettes that rush past. Some are just seconds long, none longer than a couple of minutes. A young woman remembers a fantasy honeymoon with a rock guitarist. A man awakes from a dream about bomber planes. A businessman boasts about success while being robbed by a pickpocket, and so on. The absurdist collection is accompanied by Dixieland jazz and similar music.
Once (2007)
A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.
The Red Elvis (2007)
A documentary on the late American entertainer Dean Reed, who became a huge star in East Germany after settling there in 1973.
Partners in Rhyme: The True Story of Infinite (2016)
Eminem’s debut studio album “Infinite” was released in November of 1996. “Partners In Rhyme” is the true story of the album and features never-before-seen footage of Marshall Mathers.
Rize (2005)
A documentary film that highlights two street derived dance styles, Clowning and Krumping, that came out of the low income neighborhoods of L.A.. Director David LaChapelle interviews each dance crew about how their unique dances evolved. A new and positive activity away from the drugs, guns, and gangs that ruled their neighborhood. A raw film about a growing sub-culture movements in America.
Zombies (2019)
A journey between hope and dystopia in a hallucinated Kinshasa, from the culture of the hair salon to futuristic solitary clubbing, from an urban parade to a dictator's sense of glory to a modern western in the style of Takeshi Kitano.