Kendrick Lamar film to debut at Sundance Next at Ace Hotel

Kendrick Lamar always referred to his album “good kid, m.A.A.d. city” as a “short film” in the liner notes. Now he’s got an actual short film to accompany it.

“m.A.A.d.” is a 14-minute experimental documentary that will debut as part of the Sundance Next Fest on Aug. 9. The festival takes place at the Ace Hotel in downtown L.A.

The film is directed by Kahlil Joseph, the auteur behind the creepily beautiful Flying Lotus short “Until the Quiet Comes.” It splices footage from Lamar’s home movies from growing up in Compton into haunting, surrealist imagery inspired by the many plotlines of Lamar’s breakthrough album.

Fans familiar with Joseph’s richly colored, dance-centric narrative from “Until the Quiet Comes” will recognize many of the techniques, though they are deployed in startling new forms.

Joseph also directed the backing visuals that accompanied Lamar as part of his opening slot on Kanye West’s “Yeezus” tour. Some of that footage is incorporated into the “m.A.A.d.” film.

Lamar is far from the only musician to have a prominent slot at the fest: Father John Misty, Warpaint and Tinashe will be performing as well. Joseph will also answer questions on a panel discussion as part of the event. Tickets for the festival are currently on sale.

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