I wanted to have some laughs and listen to some music so I watched Dave Chappelle’s Block Party from 2005. The film is a documentary of a free concert that Chappelle helped organize and hosted in Brooklyn with acts such as Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Common, Kanye West, and The Fugees, (a reunion after not playing together for 7 years). Chappelle shares some of his usual spots in Ohio, invites everyone he meets to the concert (not telling anyone ahead of time who was performing or exactly where it was), and encourages all to celebrate the neighbourhood and each other. He also makes jokes throughout, keeping me, the musicians, and the whole crowd smiling and energized, looking forward to more of the concert and to hear more about how passionate Chappelle is about the music, the city, and the people. I also like how many interviews there are with the musicians as they share some of their journeys, triumphs, and give thanks to others in the film. Director Michel Gondry has worked with many musicians who played at the party including Mos Def (Be Kind Rewind), Wyclef Jean (Another One Bites the Dust), Cody ChesnuTT (King of the Game), and Kanye West (Heard ‘Em Say, Version 1).

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party

IMDB

2005, 1h 43m