Screening Time: Saturday, May 3, 4:00 PM, Charles Theatre 2

Director: Brandon Sonnier

Cast: Rahman Jamaal, Michael Colyar, Jazsmin Lewis, John Cothran, Keith Ewell

Country: U.S.
Year: 2002
Running Time: 88 minutes
Format: 35mm

This directorial debut of 20-year-old filmmaker Brandon Sonnier, is a unique and impressive look at the world of Hip Hop, through the eyes of Flip. Flip is forced to go solo and go it alone after his brother and Hip Hop partner is brutally stabbed on the street. His overbearing and unforgiving father gives Flip an ultimatum -- Get a steady job or get out and do that rap thing. In a surreal twist, Flip winds up living in both worlds as the story, "flip-flops" between two lives where Flip is always haunted by the death of his brother. In one life, Flip lives homeless on the streets and pursues his Hip Hop dreams while in a parallel world, he works as a rookie cop on the streets of his South Central neighborhood. In one scene, Flip even questions what is Hip Hop and rhymes to classical music. As his two lives begin to unravel and converge, Flip must choose what truly gives his life, "the beat." Told with a vision and a mature voice, director Sonnier, exhibits a talent far beyond his 20 years. The films stars Rahman Jamaal and features Coolio and Brian McKnight.

--Darryl Lemont Wharton-Rigby

Presented By: Brandon Sonnier

Brandon Sonnier grew up in Houston, Texas and acted in high school and community theater with the goal of becoming an actor. That changed while working with local filmmakers as he decided he wanted to be a writer and director. Inspired by John Singleton’s films, Denzel Washington’s performance in Glory, and various other influences, he wrote The Beat during his freshman and sophomore years at USC. He is currently a student at USC School of Cinema-Television.