For immediate release:

The Toronto Rap Project documentary to have
World Premiere at 2006 ReelWorld Film Festival

(Toronto, April 12th, 2006)

The Toronto Rap Project makes its World Premiere at the ReelWorld Film Festival in Toronto on
Thursday, April 20th, 2006 @ 9:30 pm at the Rainbow Cinemas, Market Square on Front St.  The Thursday night premiere has already sold-out. Many of the people featured in the documentary, including rap stars and emerging artists are expected to attend the Thursday night event. A second screening has been added for Saturday, April 22nd @ 10 pm also at the Rainbow.

The Toronto Rap Project (RAPproject.com) is a feature length documentary directed by Richard Budman.  Part music video, part investigative journey, the documentary travels to diverse neighborhoods including Jane-Finch, Cataraqui Park in Scarborough, and ends up at the recent 50 Cent concert in Toronto.
   
A firestorm of debate was set off when Liberal MP Dan McTeague tried to have 50 Cent barred from entering Canada for a series of concerts. Was rap music somehow to blame for the increased gun violence Toronto had seen? A fan of urban music, director Richard Budman muses, “when the debate about gun violence started to point the finger of blame at rap music, I knew there had to be a better answer then that.” 

The documentary features commentary and interviews from aspiring rappers and established music stars Kardinal Offishall and Wes “Maestro” Williams.   Reverend Eugene Rivers, BBC documentary filmmaker Don Letts, journalists, politicians, and the everyday person on the streets of Toronto also weigh in on the debate.

John Bortolotti, owner of urban record label Disc Connected Records produced The Toronto Rap Project with Budman.  “When I wanted to go into some of Toronto’s toughest hoods’ and interview rappers – I knew John had the network of contacts that could set it up.  After the Real Toronto DVD, a lot of street rappers were not so willing to appear on camera.” says Budman.  John also supervised the production of a soundtrack of music featured in the documentary.

Documentary trailers and teasers can be seen on the www.RAPproject.com website. The Toronto Rap Project is produced by HoundsTV.com. ReelWorld Film Festival is Canada’s premiere event dedicated to showcasing diverse film and video on the big screen.

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