Crestone is a documentary at its core about a group of like-minded people who flee society to start anew in the desert. You have people with the…unique names Champloo Sloppy (the ringleader of the operation), Sadboytapps, Huckleberry (all playing themselves), and others who've escaped into Crestone, Colorado in order to start a new life. And they’re all Soundcloud rappers, by the way.
Directed by Marnie Ellen Hertzler, Crestone delves into a world of truly interesting characters. There truly is no plot to speak of, as we follow these various rappers as they formulate rhymes to send to their beloved fans on the Internet. A particularly confusing aspect of the film is that many characters speak about getting away from modern technology. However, being a Soundcloud rapper makes one reliant upon technology, as they have to upload their beats and mixtapes onto the Internet for anyone to even know who they are.
The credibility is clearly in question. Yet, with a score conceived by the experimental pop band, Animal Collective, Hertzler and her ragtag group of musicians clearly have a knack for musicians who take chances with forms like Champloo Sloppy and his underlings do. The film surely isn’t for everyone, as those unfamiliar with Soundcloud culture will struggle to connect with these millennial bohemians and their escape in the middle of nowhere. But Crestone displays technical brilliance throughout, and Hertzler displays a mature grasp of cinematography.
The film may also connect with those who have ever wanted to pursue their dreams, untethered by a 9-5 job, a family, or anything else holding them back. This rap-inspired vision quest doesn’t abide by genre conventions. It warps them. While it may not appeal to a wider audience, those who understand these musicians and their culture will connect with it. A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C.