FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2008
CONTROVERSIAL FILM “OVER DA RAINBOW”
CHALLENGES HOMOPHOBIA IN HIP-HOP
Musical satire discusses sex, tolerance and the hip-hop paradigm
NEW YORK — Jan. 28, 2008 — Filmmakers Jared Lap and Shawn Kittelsen announced the launch of www.OverDaRainbow.com today, the Web site for their comedic and controversial short film, “OVER DA RAINBOW” — a musical satire of homophobic rap starring Al Thompson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Liberty Kid”).
“OVER DA RAINBOW” is the hilarious tale of platinum-selling artist Terrier (pronounced teh-ree-AY), whose hit song “Kill Faggots” has provoked clashes between gay rights advocates and hate groups around the world. Now Terrier is producing a follow-up song, and he’s determined to sample deceased rock star Max Lightning’s 1980s rock ballad “Teri Why” for the hook. But the rights to “Teri Why” are owned by Max’s eccentric widow, who will only sign with Terrier on one condition: if he reunites her with her son, a prominent gay rights activist – and Terrier’s number one enemy.
Though the entertainment community has made great strides to provide venues for LGBT culture over the last decade, homophobia remains a pervasive form of bigotry among the industry and its audiences. Few areas of mainstream culture so brazenly air homophobic tendencies as hyper-masculine rap music and the myth of muscular, misogynist, gun-toting thug heroes.
Some artists, like Kanye West, have raised their voices against the homophobic tide, but the prevalence of homophobic language has diminished little in recent years – despite controversies involving high-profile artists like Eminem, 50 Cent, and Common, despite press coverage from CNN to BET to BBC, and despite condemnation of homophobia by figures as influential as the late Coretta Scott King.
“OVER DA RAINBOW” is a satirical short film conceived to provoke discussion. In today’s hip-hop scene, it is not such a stretch to imagine the horrifying prospect of a label releasing a song called “Kill Faggots.” The producers of “OVER DA RAINBOW” say that producing such a song as an act of satire, rather than aggression, turns its offensiveness against itself.
Says Director/Producer Jared Lap, “Of course it’s an offensive song – but in salty irreverent fashion, the song makes artists who actually use this language to hurt look as foolish and hypocritical as the homophobic characters in our film.” Lap points to Sacha Baron Cohen’s anti-Semitic “Throw the Jew Down the Well” as similarly tactical humor.
Writer/Producer Shawn Kittelsen adds, “It’s incredible how macho rap music can be both completely homophobic and utterly homoerotic. ‘Kill Faggots’ takes the hateful fascination with emasculating gay men to an absurd level. And as shocking as it is, the film’s other original songs balance it out with an extra spoonful of heart -- from our ‘80s glam-rock ballad ‘Teri Why’ to the song ‘Over Da Rainbow,’ an unabashed coming out anthem which parodies Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror,’ to our top secret show-stopping musical finale.”
The producers admit that although “OVER DA RAINBOW” cannot solve the problems it lampoons, the dialogue it sparks may further illuminate these issues – and grant quite a few laughs at the expense of those who still don't get the joke.
Filmmakers Jared Lap and Shawn Kittelsen are recent NYU graduates who independently raised funds from family, friends, and some enlightened non-profit organizations to shoot “OVER DA RAINBOW.” Featuring hilarious performances and four original songs, the film is a twisted, colorful romp that infiltrates mainstream hip hop sensibilities and transcends them with a positive message of tolerance and individual freedom.
OverDaRainbow.com hosts the film’s trailer and music videos for “Kill Faggots” and “Teri Why,” along with extensive information on the story, the creative team, and how to support the film that dares rap music to make a change.
Frayda Levy, Ken Levy & Richard Dennis Present
A Jared Lap Film
OVER DA RAINBOW
Starring Al Thompson, Joseph P. McDonnell, Tyler Hollinger, Stephen Hill
Directed by Jared Lap
Written by Shawn Kittelsen
Based On A Story by Jared Lap & Shawn Kittelsen
Music: Allan Fox & E.K. Ink.
Lyrics: Shawn Kittelsen
Producers: Jared Lap & Shawn Kittelsen
Director of Photography: Jonathan Chen
Edited by: Jared Lap
Website at www.overdarainbow.com
#########
For more information, please contact info@overdarainbow.com
