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About Graffiti Verite' 5 (GV5): The Sacred Elements of Hip-hop

Synopsis:
Accolade Award-Winning documentary GRAFFITI VERITE 5 examines the close connections between graffiti art and other art forms in the larger hip-hop culture. What emerges in GV5 is a portrait of the educational value and liberating therapeutic power contained within the unique elements of the contemporary Hip-hop movement. Turntablism (DJing), Break-dancing, MC'ing (Rappin') and Graffiti Art are the four (4) Hip-Hop elements used in what Bob sees as a multifaceted communications modality and dynamic educational learning system.

Director Bob Bryan captured the excitement of this innovative hands-on Hip-Hop Summer Workshop, at Metro High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bob documented the events there and discovers a close connection between the expressive forms of DJing, breakdancing, rapping, graffiti art and the Multiple Intelligence Theory (Dr. Howard Gardner, Harvard University) for students with learning differences. Through an exploration of these forms of expression, Bryan demonstrates how they have become a positive force in the lives of many people, despite the demonization of Hip-hop by much of the mainstream.

GV5 is designed to create a bridge between educators and students. The course provides teens with the supportive environment they need to freely express themselves and develop self-esteem through the arts. For educators it provides them with a window by which they can learn to appreciate and use the 4 elements of Hip-hop as an educational tool / bridge to teach the traditional 4R's, but in a fun, exciting, connective and creative way.

Movie Details

Language: English
Year: 2003
Length: 42 Minutes
Country: United States

Directors:
Bob Bryan
Producers:
Bob Bryan
Actors:
"I knew there was a great misconception about what Hip-Hop was really all about, partially due to the massive negative propaganda generated by the media. The public relations problem with Hip-Hop is that only the stereotypical bling-bling, darker, sinister and negative aspects of certain outrageous lifestyles are given airplay.

The beautiful positive poetry, music, dance and art of young people focusing upon identity, self-esteem, community, social issues and their future are rarely, if ever, given an opportunity to exist in the public dialogue of ideas.

In GV5 I wanted to take a closer look at the facts. It turns out that the four elements of Hip-Hop, if used creatively, can give our educators an invaluable tool to bridge the communications and learning dyslexia that exist between students, educators and the 4R's.

It’s time to explore this type of multi-intelligence model and integrate its positive potential usefulness into the curriculum, as a method of connecting with today's youth."
-Bob Bryan, Director GV5