We Are Freestyle Love Supreme

Director: Andrew Fried

Institute History

  • 2020 Sundance Film Festival

Description

Well before the world knew of the award-winning Broadway musicals In The Heights and Hamilton, a young, bright-eyed Lin-Manuel Miranda was in an improv hip-hop group called Freestyle Love Supreme, along with director Thomas Kail and performers Christopher Jackson and Anthony Veneziale. Freestyle Love Supreme was a way for these carefree artists out of college to experiment with theatre and craft their own unique musical sound. This film chronicles a 15-year journey of twists and turns, friendship, and unprecedented musical talent—culminating with much-anticipated reunion performances in New York City in 2019.

Filmmaker Andrew Fried began with a small SD camera in the summer of 2005, capturing the early days of Freestyle Love Supreme beatboxing on the sidewalks—unaware of how their story would unfold. Fourteen years later, after directing famed series like Chef’s Table and 7 Days Out, Fried revisits old footage to craft this fated story. Both poignant and inspired, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme recalls the creative dreams of youth and why this project still means so much to these accomplished performers.

The screening will be followed by a live performance by Freestyle Love Supreme.

— L.C.

Screening Details

Credits

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