Trailer for Rize, David LaChapelle's film about krump dancing

From the David LaChapelle website for Rize:
"Rize" reveals a groundbreaking dance phenomenon that’s exploding on the streets of South Central, Los Angeles. Taking advantage of unprecedented access, this documentary film brings to first light a revolutionary form of artistic expression borne from oppression. The aggressive and visually stunning dance modernizes moves indigenous to African tribal rituals and features mind-blowing, athletic movement sped up to impossible speeds. “Rize” tracks the fascinating evolution of the dance: we meet Tommy Johnson (Tommy the Clown), who first created the style as a response to the 1992 Rodney King riots and named it “Clowning”, as well as the kids who developed the movement into what they now call Krumping. The kids use dance as an alternative to gangs and hustling: they form their own troupes and paint their faces like warriors, meeting to outperform rival gangs of dancers or just to hone their skills. For the dancers, Krumping becomes a way of life – and, because it’s authentic expression (in complete opposition to the bling-bling hip-hop culture), the dance becomes a vital part of who they are.

Like “Paris is Burning” or “Style Wars” before it, “Rize” illuminates an entire community by focusing on an artform as a movement that the disenfranchised have created. But the true stars of the film are the dancers themselves: surrounded by drug addiction, gang activity, and impoverishment, they have managed to somehow rise above. The film offers an intimate, completely fresh portrayal of kids in South Central as they reveal their spirit and creativity. These kids have created art – and often family – where before there was none.
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Krump dancing originated in Los Angeles in 2000 when "clown dancing" became popular in the inner city. Kids would literally paint their faces like clowns and dance at birthday parties and local events. Soon, various "clown groups" formed and began to dance competitively against each other in local contests called "battle zones". The new dance form with the element of competition became a popular outlet and positive alternative to gang violence and drug abuse for kids in South Central L.A. The face paint ritual faded in early 2001, as groups chose to dance and battle without the clown facade. Now, with the release of this groundbreaking DVD, Krump dancing will emerge from the streets of Los Angeles into American pop culture. (from We're All Neighbours)

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Here's another film on krump dancing, Shake City 101. (available at CDdiscounters.com)

(clown'd from kottke.org)