War of Words is a Gizmo FILMS co-production with Ascension Productions.
War of Words is a witty, energizing and inspiring feature length documentary that lifts the lid on the fast growing UK battle rapping scene. We reveal the history and evolution of this unique subculture of hip hop: charting it from its origins in playgrounds and parks, through to nightclubs and competitions. From its beginnings as a battle of quick-thinking freestyle wit, through to its current incarnation as a form of well-rehearsed poetry and theatre.
Over the past 18 months we’ve followed and filmed the closest people involved with the UK battle rap scene; the founders, organisers and biggest battlers of the hugely popular, Don’t Flop and Jump Off. We reveal behind the scenes footage, clips from some of the best battles, and interviews with the top battle rappers from all over the UK including; poet laureate Mark Grist whose battle rap with Blizzard was watched by millions on You Tube and how our journey began. We’ve filmed rappers Ice T, Public Enemy, Doc Brown, Riz Ahmed, Micky Worthless, spoken word/Shakespeare rap artists, and the world’s leading Professor of Linguistics, David Crystal and more.
Our film is an entertaining expose of the UK’s most exciting youth subculture. It will take the audience on a funny, dramatic and surprising journey through the one of fast growing UK scenes.
Director/Producers: Craig Tuohy and Tom Worth (Ascension Productions)
Producer: Charlotte Arden
Executive Producers: Peter Dunphy (Gizmo Films) and Lee Kemp (Vermillion Films)
Editor: Barry Moen (First Editor: Snow in Paradise, Assistant Editor : The Imposter, Control, The Girl)