Watch The Socalled Movie

The Socalled Movie is a documentary film that explores the life and work of the musician and artist Josh Dolgin, also known as Socalled. The film was released in 2010 and was directed by Garry Beitel. The movie takes us on a journey into the unique and eclectic world of Socalled, a man who is both a hip-hop rapper, klezmer musician, and visual artist. Born in Ottawa, Canada, Socalled grew up in a Jewish family and was exposed to the cultural richness of his heritage from a young age. He was studying music since he was a child and started developing electronic music in his teens.

The film features interviews with Socalled himself, as well as with his family, friends, and colleagues, including hip-hop legend C-Rayz Walz, Klezmer musician Michael Alpert, and comedian David Cross. The film also includes footage from Socalled's concerts, behind-the-scene footage of his music videos, and other performances.

The Socalled Movie showcases how Dolgin blends hip-hop with Jewish folk music, creating a completely unique sound that has made him one of the most important figures in modern Jewish music. His music takes an avant-garde approach, mixing a range of different genres together, from traditional klezmer to funk and soul.

The film tells the story of the making of one of Socalled's most popular tracks, "You Are Never Alone," which features a sample from a Yiddish singer named Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman. Socalled found the recording of her voice in a library and was instantly struck by her mesmerizing singing. Socalled spent two years "reanimating" her voice, creating a unique and unexpected track that blends the old world with the new.

Throughout the film, we get to see unguarded glimpses of Socalled's life, including his creative process, his hometown, and his personal relationships. We also see how he explores his art form, which he calls "HipHopKhasene," a fusion of hip-hop and the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, exploring themes of love, family, loss, and the meaning of tradition in the modern world.

The Socalled Movie also delves into the visual art side of Dolgin's work. We see his art installations, such as an exhibit called "The Cowfoot Prince," where he created a life-sized puppet and a miniature version of his album cover, inspired by a Yiddish fairy tale. We also see his animated short films, which explore themes of identity, childhood, and the power of music to transform lives.

By the end of the film, we see how Dolgin's music and art are a reflection of his own personal journey, exploring his Jewish roots and embracing all aspects of his multicultural identity. The film is a tribute to a maverick artist who has never been afraid to take risks, experiment and push boundaries, transforming the world of music and art in the process.