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Mon, May 16 at 8:00pm

BELLY

  • Dir. Hype Williams
  • USA
  • 1998
  • 96 min.
  • R
  • 35mm
  • Assistive Listening
  • Hearing Loop
BELLY

Part of Music City Mondays and Pizza and a Movie.

Pizza and a Movie, a co-presentation from Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria and the Belcourt Theatre, is a series of the best Black movies of the ‘90s. Join us for pizza, beer and ‘90s Blassics.

PURCHASE TICKETS**You’ll have the option to add a Slim & Husky’s pizza to your order when you purchase tickets

Ever since they were kids, Sincere (Nas) and Buns (DMX) have lived life close to the edge, doing whatever it takes to survive. As the two grow up in this lifestyle, their priorities begin to differ significantly. Buns’ nihilistic no-holds-barred pursuit of stacking up cash no matter the cost leads to a meteoric rise through the criminal underworld — while Sincere’s search for knowledge empowers him to see the joys of the intangible things in his life. As the two are confronted with the repercussions of their actions, their priorities and perspectives adapt as they attempt to negotiate their way out of the mess they’ve gotten themselves into. The film’s climax, set during a turn-of-the-millennium celebration is as powerful as it is stylish and tense. A perennial cult classic, this hyperkinetic, neon-soaked street morality tale from music video pioneer Hype Williams boasts an incredible supporting cast including Taral Hicks, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and Method Man — and features a hit soundtrack with songs by most of the principle cast along with tracks featuring RZA, ODB, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Ja Rule, Gang Starr, and Jay-Z.  

Arrive early to catch music videos from the soundtrack alongside some local talent during the pre-show while you grab your pizza!

“While so much footage you see of The Hood in movies, TV, news and the papers portrays it as a drab, desolate, washed-out wasteland — and it definitely can be — I'm still amazed at how Hype Williams was able to use his cinema to portray what is often very hard for me to describe to others: in all our hard times, sorrow and danger, our home can also feel alive with color and vibrant with excitement.”  —VyceVitus, Birth.Movies.Death.

“Williams, a much-touted rap video director, goes to great lengths to jettison explanatory scenes in favor of razzle-dazzle imagery, rapid-fire cutting, a high-decibel soundtrack and florid camera movements.” —Leonard Klady, Variety

“Writer-director Hype Williams uses this expressive visual language to speak harshly and wistfully, simply and savvily of the characters’ sobering submission to the law of supply and demand.” —Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader