JULYDOSCOPE 2016 (FREE)

Houston Cinema Arts Society’s 6th annual JULYDOSCOPE event is a FREE evening of music, dance, and film on July 16th at Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston.

JULYDOSCOPE begins with high-energy music and dance performances at 7 PM on the Anheuser-Busch Stage followed by the screening of the acclaimed human rights film, Sonita, at 8:45 PM.

The entertainment at JULYDOSCOPE will kick off with scintillating and energetic performances from dance companies Sonkiss’d, Urban Souls Dance Company, Holding Space Dance Collective,, and Flamenco Room/Sirrom Studio.

In addition to the dance performances, this year we’re mixing it up a bit with a two powerful performances by spoken word artist Natasha Carrizosa and emerging rap artist Genesis Blu.

Rapper, Genesis Blu

Immediately thereafter, the audience at Discovery Green will be treated to the Houston premiere of the moving film Sonita, which profiles aspiring young Afghan rapper Sonita Alizadeh as she fights to rise above the restrictive gender norms in her homeland to fulfill her dream of becoming a hip-hop artist.

CLICK HERE to read Julydoscope 2016 press release.

SONITA

FILM SYNOPSIS

Sonita is the intimate and joyful story of a 17-year-old Afghan girl living in Iran who daringly resists being sold as a child bride by her family. Her defiance comes in the form of an underground rap video that is as fresh and exuberant as Sonita herself. Iranian director Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami poignantly shifts from observer to participant, altering expectations and revealing the intimate connections a new generation of women directors are making with their subjects.

Winner of both the Sundance World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary and Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary.

FILM TRAILER