NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND
(Dir.: Adrian Van Wyk, Chris Kets; South Africa 2025; Original with subtitles | DCP | 88 min.)

The film follows MCs, breakdancers, turntablists, and graffiti artists as they navigate the social, political, and cultural realities of their city. At the heart of the movement lies “Knowledge of Self,” the fifth element of hip-hop. In Cape Town, it becomes a means of reclaiming indigenous culture, retelling suppressed stories, and forging new identities in the wake of colonialism and apartheid. Through personal stories spanning different generations and neighborhoods, the film shows how hip-hop has long since transcended music to become a powerful tool for self-discovery, activism, spiritual awareness, and social empowerment.