Dir. Phoebe Driscoll, USA, 2014, 55 mins, English, tbc
Pharaohs of Memphis delves deeper into the fascinating origins of jookin and its current standing in the dance world. From the origins as ‘gangsta walking’ during an era of violent Memphis crime to present day jookin, dancers share their personal connections with the dance, as an outlet for creative energy and a way to keep out of crime. The film employs the use of contemporary dance competitions as well as archival footage to depict the complex world of jookin, a style both inspiring and unrelenting and is set to a soundtrack of contemporary Memphis hip-hop.