Belly

Belly(1998) - Hype Williams

It’s easy to compare Belly to The Godfather, a sprawling crime epic about greed and drenched in shadows. It also reminds me of Kenji Fukasaku’s Yakuza Papers, with its large cast of characters and meandering story that feels complicated but could be explained in seconds. But Belly is very much it’s own film thanks to music video director, Hype Williams. William’s blend of technical experience and lack of narrative experience give Belly a sense of gleeful amateurism. Belly doesn’t really give a fuck about saving the cat, clarity, or coherence. This tone is carried through by the largely inexperienced cast, whose performances feel strangely naturalistic. Particularly NAS, who mumbles his way through most of the film. Visually, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen, simultaneously glowing and shrouded in shadows, like police lights reflecting off wet asphalt. It’s probably not for everyone, but Belly’s visuals and structure make for a strangely hypnotic experience.