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Copyright Criminals: The Funky Drummer Edition

De La Soul (Actor), George Clinton (Actor), Benjamin Franzen (Director) Rated:
Unrated
Format: DVD
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating
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February 13, 2018 		—
1
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$47.00 $3.57

Product Description

Product Description

COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money.

This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a ''borrowed melody'' became a ''copyright infringement.'' This film showcases many of hip-hop music's founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground, while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more. It also provides an in-depth look at artists who have been sampled, such as Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown's drummer and the world's most sampled musician), as well as commentary by another highly sampled musician, funk legend George Clinton.

Review

Producers Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod craft a compelling and insightful documentary illuminating both sides of a hotly debated issue: Should the original artists get paid when someone samples their work? Are current copyright laws out of step with our mashed-up, high-tech culture? Heavy hitters from the world of hip-hop such as Public Enemy's Chuck D and members of De La Soul weigh in, along with producers, lawyers ... and musicians. --USA Today

Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod's exceptionally smart and energetic documentary lays out the complexities of sampling artistic and political, legal and philosophical. Comprised of split screens, overlapping and overlaid sounds, an assemblage of images and noise, the movie effectively stages its argument even as it makes it. --Pop Matters

I have nothing but praise for the delivery of the message as well as the technical execution. The film covers the major points on both sides of the issue, and while didn't change my opinion on sampling, it did offer new points that I hadn't considered. That's exactly what a documentary should do. --The Salt Lake Tribune

Product details

  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
  • Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 3.16 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Benjamin Franzen
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Dolby, NTSC, Full Screen
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 54 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ February 13, 2018
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ De La Soul, George Clinton, Chuck D, DJ Spooky, Saul Williams
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ INDIEPIX Films
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0034800G4
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
1 global rating

Top review from the United States

Mark S. Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars "Can you own a sound?"
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2011
Verified Purchase
From the packaging: "Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, tracing the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a "borrowed melody" became a "copyright infringement." As artists find ever more inventive ways to insert old influences info new material, this documentary asks critical question on behalf of an entire creative community: Can you own a sound?"

I thought this DVD was very thorough and comprehensive presenting the history of hip-hop and sampling, current uses, who is pushing the limits regarding copyright law, as well as presenting the "suits'" side of the law and the creative community's perspective. The DVD also includes a very impressive music-video-mashup that you have to see! I teach a class on copyright law and I use many clips from this project. Highly recommend.
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