LISTEN TO THIS (Juan Baquero, Canada). 76 minutes.
Sunday (May 2), 7 pm, Royal May 9, 4:30 pm, Royal. Rating: NNNN
Listen To This introduces us to extroverted singer Whitney, shy and gifted writer Jasmine and finally Donta, a troublemaker with a big talent for rapping. All three kids attend the Firgrove School in the Jane-Finch corridor and are involved in a 16-week after-school program that gets them composing and performing songs about their lives.
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Under the guidance of several musicians, including jazz artist Thompson Egbo-Egbo and rapper/producer Stokes, the children gradually gain confidence. It’s a lesson for the adults as well, particularly in a scene where the kids recount the violence they live with on a daily basis. I dare you not to cry when Jasmine, encouraged by Stokes, admits she’s an artist. Simply told but inspiring.
