Media That Matters Film Festival: Rapping at Fear: About

SEVENTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL

Rapping at Fear

6:44 min
Documentary
Andrés Tabares, Director. Listen Up! and Polimorfo, Producers.

Winner of the Speak the Peace Award
Sponsored by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Foundation

ABOUT THE FILM

More About Rapping At Fear from Producer Listen Up!

Beyond Borders: Personal Stories from a Small Planet is a creative burst of defiance and hope by teenagers who are overcoming the huge obstacles and ignorance that have defined their lives. It’s an inspiring compilation of 11 short films written, shot and edited by teenagers who weave documentary filmmaking, animation and archival footage to tell personal stories on fear and insecurity.

When we began the Beyond Borders Project, we were inspired by Michael Moore’s film Bowling for Columbine, as well as a speech given by Tim Robbins at the National Press Corps in Washington, D.C. Moore challenged us to rethink our fears, while Robbins described how our government squandered an opportunity to unite our country and world after 9/11. Both men took heat for speaking the truth. So, we asked the youth filmmakers what they most fear in their own lives and how they manage to overcome it.

This is Andrés’ story. Whether in the Colombian countryside before the rebels forced his family to leave, or the city slum where his family now lives, Andrés Tabares has always had a way with words. In Andrés’ barrio where “social cleansing” groups wage war, this thirteen-year-old writes and performs rap to speak out against violence. And people are listening.