Dave Chappelle's Block Party

(Robert) Masseo Davis
Feb/ 08/ 2008
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, Directed by Michel Gondry.

Rating: 4.5/5

Michel Gondry director of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” & “The Science of Sleep” takes the directors seat again to head of this incredible concert film, starring David Chappelle. To being with this is one of the few films in history where the narrative and creative force behind the production of the film is not recognized as the director. In other words the normative social standings behind the film is that this is Dave Chappelle’s film; and the people who have seen this film don’t know who Michel Gondry is, or don’t realize that he directed this film. The film is a humbling experience that illustrates to its viewers the diversity behind Chappelle’s genius; as well as entertains.
The film is centered around a Block Party that occurs in Brooklyn, New York, that features artists such as Kanye West, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Common, Jill Scott, The Fugees, and others. The narrative however is essentially a montage of events that cycle through performances at the block party, and following Dave Chappelle, around New York City and his hometown in Ohio as he recruits people to go and see the show. The films construction allows for Dave to play ringmaster in this whole experience as well as express his feelings toward contemporary social issues. Many of Dave’s comic sketches from his hit T.V. series “Chappelle Show” are very politically and socially charged. The impact these episodes are over written many times because of their extremely overbearing hilarity, as well as Dave’s incorporation to the occasional “shit joke”.
This Film is the one of those works of art that is almost Shakespearian in that it seems to transcend genre. The audience can claim things like it is a comedy or even a “dramady” for a lack of a better term. And of course the films packaging and commercial accoutrements inform us that the film is funny, well that’s why Dave Chappelle is famous, and that is part of what makes this film amazing it’s a marketing tool. The fact that Dave manages to express intelligence as well as being comedic ally stimulating is really nice and almost even tender. It could be said that it is the contribution of Michel Gondry the director of this movie for it could be said that is movie too ascend any particular genre. Many of Michel’s films including “Block Party” seem to be informative, emotionally pleasing and sincere.
In conclusion, I recommend this film to any film watcher who is in search of honesty.