In 1989, a group of teens eager to push beyond the boundaries of gangster rap met weekly at the Good Life, a health food store in South Central Los Angeles, to break new ground - both lyrically and musically - in the world of hip hop, in a safe, positive atmosphere. Their most famous rule? No profanity allowed. Soon, a movement was afoot that spawned some of the most artful, experimental rap music ever, with groups Jurassic 5, Freestyle Fellowship and the project Blowed Collective amongst its best known alumni.

Selma director Ava DuVernay's (herself a member of the movement under her rap name Eve) award-winning documentary is a smart, sharp exploration of this fruitful breeding ground for a subgenre that would come to be called conscious or alternative hip hop, celebrating its self-determination, activism and the struggle for independent voices and creativity.

Crackling with energy, it's a must-see hip hop documentary, a rare chance to look back at a time when hip hop was more about block parties and barbecues, and less about music videos, bling and record deals. As Jurassic 5's Cut Chemist puts it in his interview: "Something like that couldn't happen in any other city, in any other part of the world, at any other time. It was perfect".

From 17:00 you can get a little taste of the Good Life in the Café/Bar where in honour of the film our regular menu will be replaced by a selection of specially created vegan and vegetarian dishes - think summer rolls, risotto cakes, veggie charcuterie boards, butternut jambalaya, quesadillas and pilafs - and ticket holders can get £1.00 off sharing platters.

After the screening join us in the Café/Bar from 22:00 til late for the Good Life After Party, where Ujima Radio's DJ Style and Bristol underground stalwart Awkward and friends unite for an early 90s hip hop music throwback.

Presented in partnership with Ujima Radio and Festival of Ideas. With thanks to Rise Music.

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