ATL takes over ATX with SXSW premieres 'Magic City' and 'Freaknik.' Here's what to know
ATLiens took over the Zach Theatre during South by Southwest for two world premieres that are very specific to Atlanta.
On March 11-12, “Magic City: An American Fantasy,” and “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” played at the theater. Atlanta natives like Jermaine Dupri, T.I.Killer Mike, 2 Chainz, Michael “Magic” Barney, DJ Esco and more were in attendance.
Here's what we know about the Atlanta projects:
What is 'Magic City' about?
“Magic City: An American Fantasy,” tells the story of the famed strip club in Atlanta and the role it plays in the music and entertainment industry.
Cole Brown, creator of the 'Magic City' documentary series, explained what inspired him to assemble the film.
“I’ve told this story a couple of times, but never to an audience,” he said. “I was sitting in Jermaine Dupri’s studio two years ago. And he was telling me these stories of him back in the day going to Magic City. And he had this one story of him and Janet Jackson. I think he took Quincy Jones there. And he saw the leaders of BMF [Black Mafia Family], and there was a state senator there. And I was thinking myself like… where in the world is this possible? Where you have preachers and senators and drug dealers and celebrities [all in one place]. And that was the moment when it was like, You know what, there’s something to tell here. And two years later, we told it.”
What is 'Freaknik' about?
“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” details the history behind the annual spring break festival that many black college students attended.
Jermaine Dupri — who is an executive producer for both projects — expressed the significance of both documentaries.
“For me, I feel like 'Magic City' is more of an Atlanta Black History moment,” he said. “But I feel like 'Freaknik' is a much more global Black History moment because of the HBCUs that’s involved that created this. It’s so much education in how we got to 'Freaknik.' And then what happened inside Freaknik is educational, period. So I feel like there’s so much education in this. I actually would say that one ['Magic City'] is black history and one is education.”
When and where to watch 'Freaknik: The Greatest Party Never Told'
“Freaknik: The Greatest Party Never Told,” can be streamed on Hulu March 21.
When and where to watch 'Magic City: An American Fantasy'
“Magic City: An American Fantasy” is a three-part documentary. The series doesn’t have a release date yet.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: ATL takes over ATX with SXSW premieres 'Magic City' and 'Freaknik'
