Rize
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Rize

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Ratings: 6.00/10 from 10 users.

Noted photographer David LaChapelle makes his feature directorial debut with this documentary on a new facet of street culture in South Central Los Angeles. In 1992, after long-simmering racial tensions in Los Angeles erupted in riots following the verdicts in the Rodney King trial, a man named Tommy Johnson sought to spread a new message in a new way to the city's African-Americans.

Creating a character called Tommy the Clown, Johnson developed an act that combined hip-hop-flavored comedy and dancing with an anti-gang and anti-violence message. Johnson's performances became wildly popular in South Central -- so much so that at one point, 50 different groups inspired by Johnson's example were performing in the area. In time, Johnson's loose-limbed dance style inspired a new wave of hip-hop street dancing called "krumping," a wildly athletic style in which arms, legs, and bodies fly with a frenzied abandon that moves at almost inhuman speeds.

Rize follows the birth of clown dancing and krumping in South Central, and records how many young people have adopted the dance as a style of competition, offering a safer and healthier alternative to the gang culture that has long dominated Los Angeles. Rize premiered at the 2005...

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Gretel
Gretel
11 years ago

africa forever

Charles Glenn
Charles Glenn
11 years ago

the most inspiring movie that I have ever seen

mtaysic
mtaysic
12 years ago

So positive, so awesome, so inspiring.

Darion D-Payne Payne
Darion D-Payne Payne
12 years ago

i loved mi part the best
not tight eyez had the best i had the 6th best krump part

Darion D-Payne Payne
Darion D-Payne Payne
12 years ago

as good as i knew it whas gonna be

Samuel Thorpe
Samuel Thorpe
12 years ago

viscerally joyful! WOW i loved this.

Pablo A Quiroz
Pablo A Quiroz
12 years ago

inspirational! "if you've got a certain talent , don't be afraid to express it!"
AMEN

cali
cali
13 years ago

i think thats precious mother singing 1:07:25

cali
cali
13 years ago

21:50 is lil mama the rap artist lol

esmuziq
esmuziq
13 years ago

niceee

sensa111
sensa111
13 years ago

Hmm I'm with you there. What a shining light Tommy is and what an ace doc this was.
Funny, tragic but ultimately life affirming.
Bless all of em amazing young people, they just need an outlet for expression and validation.
Everyone should watch this film, Superb! Thank you Vlatko for this

hmm
hmm
14 years ago

wow.. I like the cereal clown :) hehe.. also feel sorry for Tommy when he got robbed.. deserves a medal for creating a sub culture for these young people!

Sally
Sally
15 years ago

AMAZING