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Another serving of underground Americana that proves the Hughes Brothers haven't just been sitting
around picking fights with rappers & making disappointing faux-English movies. Following in
the same cultish stride as their highly, highly commendable documentary, American Pimp (how many
straight-faced historical & contemporaneous investigations into the world of pimps and pimping have you
seen recently?) the brothers delve deeper into the world of black/alternative culture, turning
their lens on one of hip-hop's least credited yet most successful creations: scratching.
And once again the Hughes prove their undoubted talent as a filmaking
team. Moving steadily through the subterraneous peripheries of turntablism and featuring the likes
of everyone and anyone with any credibility, this insightful documentary encompasses just about
anything one could ask for. From the first scratch (on Herbie Hancock's Rocket) through the brave
new world of the turntablist pioneers to the modern masters pushing the boundaries, the film touches
on a breathtaking number of the subjects and debates from digging for records to battling to the
modern commercial exploitation of the movement and its possible future.
The DJ's included present a refreshingly humane & sympathetic side to hip hop (despite the
majority seeming to believe their music is some kind of intergalactic language speaking to the
little grey men out there). All are quick to
distance themselves from the fierce individualism, misogyny & violence that has plagued the "rap"
genre. Although each is quick to declare their passion & opinion on the music & movement, what you
find are a group of individuals equally willing to share their secrets, skills & knowledge not only
with their peers but the emerging generation waiting to replace them.
Alongside Dark Days,Z-Boys & American Pimp, Scratch forms another impressive addition to a
growing body of recent documentary work detailing the 'other' side of modern Americana. It would seem
the future's bright after all.
RATING: (c)Limer 2003
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Scratch (C4: 2003)
