Akira's Hip Hop Shop (2007)
Asian man. Black woman. Two people from different worlds bond over rap, food and friendship. A hip-hop "When Harry Met Sally". "Save the Last Dance" meets "Tampopo."
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Such a frustrating disappointment
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Akira's Hip Hop Shop is a short film that leaves the viewer longing for more. James Kyson Lee gives a performance that is subtle, yet smolders with a sexy sensitivity not on display in television's Heroes. The lovely Emayatzy E. Corinealdi portrays a vulnerable young woman who is certain of her dreams. Even if she isn't sure with whom she'd like to share them with. She has a charming,spunky style that the director captures well. The chemistry between the two main characters in undeniable and immediately draws the viewer into the story.The story itself is a believable telling of an unlikely pairing. It doesn't shy away from intimacy in the physical realm. This realistic portrayal of attraction on all levels is something that other movies about Asian man - Black woman couples seem to be lacking. These are two attractive young people who share many interests despite their vastly different cultural backgrounds. The writer/director isn't afraid to address the issues of racial stereotypes that each group may hold about the other. Yet it doesn't leave the viewer with a feeling that these two are ill fated, star crossed lovers.To be sure, the telling of this tale is a bold undertaking, but it is more than deftly handled. The story that the filmmaker is trying to tell us deserves a full feature with a larger budget. However, what this short film lacks in budget, it more than makes up for with heart.