Outstr8 from Dublin's Northside

OUTSTR8 From Dublin's Northside : How 3 Dublin lads are actively making a difference in their communities through music. The idea was conceived in 2011 when I met up with 3 of the young men for a radio interview. I was touched by their talent, positivity, humour and commitment to sharing and employing their skills in order to help other young people from within their communities. It was obvious from the interview that they know all too well what lack of opportunity and poor expectations can lead to. One quote from this interview was “We’re in it for the change – not for the bleedin’ money”! We explore what this change is and how they are trying to achieve it. The 4th lad in this documentary, is that part of that change, his name is Willa Lee. The main aim of this documentary is to take the widely held negative perception of unemployed youth from socially deprived areas, Ballymun, Cabra and Finglas, coupled with the music of the disenfranchised, which is hip hop. Flip this idea and alter the stereotype to show that these young lads are highly motivated and are attempting to change their community from within. They are trying to politicise their own communities through music like many black hip hop artist have done in the past using their own slang and cultural references. This documentary highlights their feelings and experiences of life in their areas whilst showcasing their music. Directed, Edited & Produced by Elma Curran & Nikos Tsogkas Accepted into the Cannes Film Festival Short Corner Award 2013