DC Film Archives_SLAM

In the fall of 1998 the independent movie Slam was released following critical acclaim, giving the city some unexpected but well deserved shine in film. The documentary style flick captures a pre-“gentrifcation” era of the city when Tupac and Biggie’s recent murders were reminders of the fatalistic nature of street life. Chronicling a D-Boy from the southside who gets caught up in the system, Slam is worth viewing for the first time or watching again for the mere purpose of take a trip down memory lane which includes a cameo from the Mayor 4 Life as a DC judge.

The film has an interesting twist as the main character played by Saul Williams is freed from Lorton on the strength of the thug lord Hopha’s word played by Bonz Malone. A pre-The Wire Sonja Sohn plays a prison poetry teacher and love interest.

Slam has some great cinematography of city life and is a must see for any local historians and area cultural enthusiasts. There are some notable discrepancies such as when Saul Williams character gets off at the Cleveland Park metro stop and goes to a club on U Street.

This is the first film featured in The Syndicate’s movie archives, but there will be more to come.

The video is from a scene where Saul Williams catches the spirit after the raps of a real-life DC dude facing murder charges.