Join ex Hutonger Benj Binks as he comes back to his roots, and we re-congratulate him on the release of his captivating documentary on the Mongolian hip hop scene. Mongolian Bling was brought to Beijing by JUE Festival. Due to its overwhelming success, The Hutong is thrilled to announce a third screening: “Offering a distinctive and personal view, Mongolian Bling is a film that finds the unique in the familiar, and makes you pause and think again about the sounds you dance to. Forget about nomads and monks! It’s Hip Hop that’s making Mongolia move in the 21st century!”
The evening will get started with a Mongolian inspired cocktail and tapas welcome, followed by the screening and an informal Q + A with the director.
When: Sunday, July 21st, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Cost: 100 RMB, 80 RMB for members.
Note: The documentary is in Mongolian, with English & Mandarin subtitles.
Mongolian Bling is a fresh take on the power of hip hop and a surprisingly candid portrait of a rarely seen contemporary culture – still coming to terms with the 1990 revolution that caused the fall of communism and gave a voice to the country’s youth. In this ancient culture with a rich and turbulent history, the modern beats and rhymes of the street are breaking through and forging a new identity.
Told through the passion of young rappers and the wisdom of traditional musicians, Mongolian Bling takes us from the bustling city streets to the snow-capped “hoods” – following the nation’s rap stars as they “keep it real” with just a bit of bling.
In the capital, Ulaanbaatar, it’s a thriving music scene. But not everybody is happy. As his country rapidly develops, Bayarmagnai – one of Mongolia’s last Epic Singers (songs of good harvests and happiness, usually sung in the heart of winter) – struggles to keep the art form he loves, alive. And the ancient tradition of “throat singing” is also losing fans to the western hip hop beat.
Despite this, Bayirmagnei supports the new musicians: like Gee; a young rapper from the impoverished Ger District, Quiza; one of the country’s most popular rappers, famous for incorporating traditional instruments into his songs, and Gennie; an up and coming female artist intent on breaking down social and political boundaries.
Mongolian Bling is the new hip hop revolution. It’s political, it’s powerful and despite the elders’ objections, it might just salvage their country’s young democracy and keep on track the 1990 reforms that saw the birth of modern Mongolia.
