Finally Sayin' What I Really Mean 
| Directed by: | Monique Woods |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Saul Williams, Abiodun Oyewole, David Banner |
| Country: | U S A |
| Created: | 2006 |
| Runtime: | 76 min. |
| Member: | inmyelement |
Average rating: 4.6 by 5 users
Film Description:
Synopsis
Tired of being put in a box and relegated to making certain music and being viewed a certain way because of corporate stereotyping, artists are finally getting their views off their chests. ‘Finally Sayin’ What I Really Mean’ is a feature length music documentary that, through conversations with various musical artists, poets, and social activists, explores the question of what good music is, and further discusses stepping outside of the industry’s definition of what their music should be and how it should be represented. Over 30 signed and independent artists including Saul Williams, Lalah Hathaway, Martin Luther, David Banner, Chamillionaire, and others, talk freely and openly about the music industry and how their music or image is stuffed in a box, packaged and sold. The documentary explores hip hop as a cultural voice, soul music as a movement and the art and creativity of poetry as the basis for it all.
Forms: Documentary, Feature
Genres: Educational, Underground, Musical, Independent, Urban, Reality, Culture, Hip Hop
Niches: African, African American, Black, Third World, Student
Screenings & Events
Atlanta hip hop Film Festival
Film Festival
Awards: 2006 Audience Choice Award
Atlanta, U S A
April 2006
Black Filmmaker Magazine Monthly Screen Series
Theatrical
London, United Kingdom
August 2006
Black History Month
Theatrical
Camden, United Kingdom
October 2006
Charlotte Urban Film Series
Film Festival
Charlotte, U S A
October 2006
8th Annual bfm International Film Festival
Film Festival
London, United Kingdom
November 2006
University of the West Indies Caribbean Studies
OTHER
Kingston, Jamaica
December 2006
Urban Film Series/Black History Month Film & Discussion Series
Film Festival
Washington DC, U S A
February 2007
Cast & Crew
Monique Woods (Executive Producer, Producer, Director (1st Project,1st Feature)), Shannon McCollum (Producer, Coproducer)
PerformanceAbiodun Oyewole (Lead Actor), David Banner (Lead Actor), Eric Roberson (Supporting Actor), Martin Luther (Supporting Actor), Saul Williams (Lead Actor), Van Hunt (Supporting Actor)
CameraMonique Woods (Cinematographer/DP)
Post ProductionMonique Woods (Picture Editor)
MusicKenyatta Poole (Original Music/Composer)
RepresentationTiffany Campbell (Publicist)
FinallySayin has not yet posted any blog entries.
Ratings
TRUBLUBU2
what a pearl of a film! i appreciate the hard work involved to get the interviews and the subject matter turned out to be wonderfully intense and highly engaging. would like to see more by the film maker.
JonGoode
Great film that really gives a voice to the underground and independent artists try to thrive and survive off of their art and expression.
inmyelement
You should really check this film out! It is intelligent, entertaining, thought-provoking, well- shot, and seamlessly edited. Don't be the last to hear what these artists have got to say!
3 Comments about Finally Sayin' What I Really Mean
Jan 15, 2008 08:43AM
We are impressed with your film. We organise 3 major film festivals in India. We wish to screen your film at 1 of our international film festivals. There are no submission fees payable for your film. Kindly visit http://www.pumelo.com. Final submission date - 31st January.
Mar 16, 2007 04:13PM
At Atlanta HipHop Film Festival it was not a wonder why she won audience choice awards...While watching the film, the audience was so engaged on the intelligent conversations within the film, we were drawn in to find out WHAT THEY ARE FINALLY SAYIN' WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN! I mean the way the film was edited and put together was so thorough to envoke feelings, laughter and again THOUGHT PROVOKING conversations among these legends within the music industry. THIS IS A DOCUMENTARY you want in your library...tell everyone about it.
Mar 08, 2007 04:07PM
I had the opportunity to see this film at the Urban Film Series in DC. Not only was the cinematography engaging but the theme of the piece echoed the way I feel about music. I absolutely LOVE music. I can't see how I could live my life without it. Many people, however, would consider me a music snob but I don't think of myself that way. I like the art of music; I love the music, the lyrics, the feelings evoked and the memories associated with a song. My music tastes are very diverse and people don't understand that opting to try to put me in a box instead. If you love music and don't fit into any of the corporate music machine's neat boxes then this film is for you. If you are completely oblivious of the independent artists out ther trying to make it, even more so, this film is for you.
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