Contrast Film Festival Presents: Dark City Beneath the Beat
Contrast Film Festival presents a one-night-only drive-in screening of DARK CITY BENEATH THE BEAT at the Museum of Human Achievement.
DARK CITY BENEATH THE BEAT is an audiovisual experience that defines the soundscape of Baltimore city. Inspired by an all original Baltimore club music soundtrack, the film spotlights local club artists, DJs, dancers, producers, and Baltimore’s budding creative community as they are realizing their life dreams. Rhythmic and raw, these stories illustrate the unique characteristics of the city’s landscape and social climate through music, poetry, and dance. From the city’s social climate to its creative LGBTQ community, DARK CITY BENEATH THE BEAT showcases Baltimore club music as a positive subculture in a city overshadowed by trauma, drugs, and violence.
The film will be preceded by Contrast Radio voiced and mixed by DJ La Morena.
Plus short films:
FLOURISH
(2020, Heather María Ács)
A fabulous drag queen must disentangle from an unhealthy relationship, while a young, non-binary couple attempt nonmonogamy. Can the magic of a queer dance party bring the lovers together and the transformative power of drag set this queen free?
A CLUB CALLED RHONDA
(2019, Greg Ferro)
"The only rule we follow is: do not judge. Whoever you are, welcome to the Club."
A Club Called Rhonda is an exploration of the cultural phenomenon that hit LA in 2008 with the opening of the eponymous club. It’s an insight into the free and inclusive spirit of a unique environment, in which the social norms imposed on our daily lives no longer apply.
A SONIC PULSE
(2019, Dorothy Allen-Pickard & Antoine Marinot)
"Music shouldn't be defined by hearing people because it's about feeling vibrations and frequencies." A Sonic Pulse explores D/deaf people’s experience of electronic music from a visceral, communal and scientific perspective.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Contrast Film Festival and the Museum of Human Achievement request that all attendees remain in their vehicle for the duration of the program. Restrooms will not be readily available, so please plan accordingly. In an effort to limit environmental impact, we also ask that you plan to view the film with your vehicle's engine off. In the event of cold weather, we suggest you bring blankets and whatever else you need to comfortably view the program in an unheated environment.
This project is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com. Contrast Film Festival is a sponsored project of the Austin Creative Alliance.
