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Straight Outta Hunters (DVD)
Epps delves into the World War II history, when Hunters Point was the home of African
American shipyard workers who migrated from Texas and Louisiana in search of
better-paying jobs in a less hostile environment. After the war many of the economic and
employment opportunities for blacks dwindled, and poverty, unemployment, and crime
set in. The film takes you to the recent events of Hunter's Point, and covers the violent
conflict between two neighbourhoods from the region, Big Block and Westmob. The two
gangs are involved in street crime but both have musical aspirations, producing music
and rap artists. There were over 100 shootings between these rival rap labels and the life
there is too raw for any of these artists to reach super stardom.
Produced and directed by filmmaker Kevin Epps, Straight Outta Hunters Point provides a
rare glimpse, from the inside, at the daily racial, economic, and environmental issues
confronting the African American residents of San Francisco’s Bayview/ Hunters Point
districts. This is a place where filmmaker Kevin Epps grew up and still lives and only an
insider like Epps could shoot such personal footage of Hunter's Points hustlers, gang
members and residents in Straight Outta Hunter's Point (SOHP). It is a raw and stunning
film experience depicting Hip-Hop culture in its rawest, uncut form: from the history of
this once-thriving black community, built military-barrack-style overlooking the Hunters
Point Naval Shipyard (and Environmental Superfund site) and PG&E’s toxic wastelands,
to the truth behind the alleged gang-related “Rap Wars.” An uncompromising film that
takes you into the gritty world of the notorious Hunters Point Housing Projects.
About Kevin Epps: Kevin Epps is a community activist, award-winning filmmaker, and
producer of digital and new media projects. Kevin Epps’ (2002) documentary "Straight
Outta Hunter’s Point" won local and national acclaim, and established him as a leader in
digital, independent film and new media. His other most recent work ranging from gun
violence to black fatherhood, can be seen airing nation¬wide on Current TV, a network
founded by former Vice President Al Gore. Epps is a member of the (DMAC) Digital Media
Advisory Council, tirelessly advocating for underserved communities; A board member,
San Francisco Black Film Festival, Conscious Youth Media Crew. He has partnered with
governmental and corporate entities such as: National Park Service, University of San
Francisco, Yahoo, Google, Discovery Channel, Boys and Girls Club, City of Richmond,
Current TV, and other well known organizations.
Reviews: First of, this is not a film that glorifies the thug life. What this film does is give
you an inside look at a community that has been destroyed by poverty, racism and
desperation. It doesn't stand on a soap box and preach, what it does is more powerful
than that. What it does is show you straight from the inside, what it's like to live in the
prisons we call ghettos. Several times I've driven through Hunter's Point and been
witness to the apocalyptic scenario, boarded up homes, garbage littering the streets, and
extreme poverty. What sickens me the most is how in the richest country in the world, in
one of the richest cities, we could allow places like this to exist. Kevin Epps, exposes this
crime without ever saying a word about it being wrong. He just let's the camera roll, and
the more it rolls, the more discontent you'll feel about the way this community is
marginalized and mistreated. Not only do we met the people living in this community
close up, we learn about the increased cancer rates and PG+E's and the US Navy's
un-kept promise of cleaning and restoring the toxic conditions they've created. We learn
about the police brutality which claims the lives of the people in this community and the
desperation and hopelessness that has made it's young people look to crime and drug's
for a way out. There is a message of hope, through the creative forces inside this
community which is home to Gangster Rap, some of the most successful have even
found a way out through music.
To sum up we get an inside look at a place we would never ever see first hand. I give
this 10/10, In my opinion this film was better than anything out of Hollywood this last
year, watch it if you can find a copy.
IMDB Reviews 2003
www.imdb.com
This title is available for license from Holliday Entertainment & Blue Pie Productions. For all inquiries please email sales@bluepie.com.au
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