Ozols is immortalized in a concert film with a story from a hooligan to a hip-hop “fater”

Opening the curtain on what happened behind the scenes of the big concert

The film crew, participants of the big concert in December last year, as well as other invited guests and visitors gathered for the premiere of Ozola’s concert film “From district to arena” in the “Forum Cinemas” cinema to celebrate together the first concert film dedicated to Latvian hip-hop on the biggest cinema screen in the Baltics. “The concert film through the lenses of sixteen cameras allows you to look into the most impressive show of the twenty years of Ozol’s creative activity, “Arena Rīga”, as well as to see and experience the biggest domestic hip-hop event of the past year from close-up again,” this is how the creative team announced this premiere. “The audience is also allowed to look behind the scenes of the arena, to see the concert from the other side of the dark curtain, to feel the atmosphere and emotions that reigned in the dressing rooms and before going on stage.”

This is exactly the biggest plus of this concert film – the opportunity to look behind the scenes and feel the emotions of the concert participants, and the film also tells about what remained hidden from the eyes of the concert visitors. For example, did anyone know that after the first part Ozola lost his voice and he got it back on the advice of his colleague Gustavo by gargling his throat with… oil?! Listening to the “setlist” of the concert, you can now feel that towards the end of the song “OZO-Ls”, Ozols is barely audible, but you could not feel it in the arena. Like the fact that during the performance of the song “Street Life” Ozols forgot an entire verse and was saved from a bad situation by Gustavo and Čižika. By the way, this song is notable for the fact that it was essentially the very first rap song in the Latvian language – it was 1998, and at the time it seemed like an absolutely wrong move. If currently they look at those rappers who speak in English as a bit of a joke, then a quarter of a century ago everything was diametrically opposite.

Concert film as the end of a circle and the beginning of the next stage

The concert film allows you to see other nuances as well – for example, in the arena, you could fully appreciate the skill of guitarist Kaspars Vizulis, while in the film, you could see how powerful a drummer Rūdolfs Danilēvičs is. Yes, and you could also notice that the song “Saule stariņš” was announced as “Saulestariņš” in the decoration on the stage – with one “s”. It didn’t occur to me to pay attention to anything like that at the concert, even though it was written in metrical letters, because all the attention was paid to what was sounding and happening on the stage. One thing is constant – already at the concert it seemed and the film only confirmed it, that Kristine Prauliņa was way too much…

The two parts of the concert are organically merged together in the film and really reproduce Ozola’s path from the district to the arena. In the final part, there was already a sporting interest, which will be the film’s very, very last closing chord. Is it really a collaboration with Don in the song “Broken heart”, for which Ozols is the author of the lyrics? No, not yet. By the way, Don told behind the scenes that it was from Ozola that he learned to hit his forehead on the wall while knocking it over – it seems that Artur taught it quite well himself. Okay, so the ending song will be “Prodigal Son”? Although it seemed that it should be, it was still followed by “Style”, which was performed by the entire gang of loud and multi-headed rappers on stage, thus underscoring the unity of the hip-hop commune. However, it turned out that the very last one will be Ozola’s “Rajons”, created 17 years ago in cooperation with the Russian-speaking rappers’ association “RDK”, with all the insertions of Russian text – considering the current situation, quite a risky move, but this is history, it was Ozola of those times ( and Pārdaugava) anthem. The circle has closed, but only for now – there is no doubt that Ozols will continue with no less power. As in the song “Boxing”: “Ozol, go forward – kacha, kacha / You have to endure a lot more in this match of life!”

The entire flower of Latvian rap dedicates words of appreciation to his colleague

In the proud “Pepsi” audience of “Forum Cinemas”, there was an extremely large number of invited guests and other people who wanted to see the film, besides, in some rows, someone had noticed giving out (selling) even three tickets for one seat – just like in a national airline! However, those who had contributed to the making of the film were also extremely numerous – when Ozols invited everyone involved to the stage, it was quite lonely in the hall, but those on the stage did not appear in any wide-angle picture. Here, just like the opinion of rap colleagues behind the scenes of the arena, many had simply come to pay their respects to Ozol.

An educational film could be made about Ozola’s determination, perseverance and also the grasp of an entrepreneur. In the concert film, he opens the curtain to his abilities as if in passing, which could be summed up: “Dream even of higher things than you can achieve at all, and something of all this will come true someday!” Just that simple. In the case of Ozola, it has really come true, and not just “something”, but a lot. Looking at the archive footage and remembering those times, rewind this film of memories and you can catch yourself wondering how this stage and street hooligan managed to become a respected and revered hip-hop “father” in about 30 years.

In this film, practically the entire flower of Latvian hip-hop, from the idol Prusax of the younger generation to Ozol’s colleagues Gustavo and Čižika, and current rap No. 1 Ansha, give praise to Ozol and do not hide their admiration for him. For example, Ansis says in the film that at first he thought there would be problems with Ozol, because he somehow “spoiled” the father of Latvian rap, but it turned out that Ozol is the most friendly of the entire rap family. On the other hand, Prusax remembers that it was Ozis (that’s what he calls him – with a round “o”) who was the first to support the young rappers association “New Wavy”, known only in his circles at the time, and encouraged them to take further steps – it was true, Ozols had been for a long time pretend to be Prusax’s guardian. Prusax’s colleagues were also mentioned in another context – Ozols allegedly united everyone, because previously there had been major disagreements between different groups of rappers. If so, then hip-hop can thank Ozola for its current position, because rappers are currently “taking it” with unity and concerted actions.

Oak like 30-year-old cognac – you have to taste it!

Already this weekend, “From the District to the Arena” was shown in additional screenings at the “Forum Cinemas” cinema, but for those who want to see it, there is still nothing to miss – the regional premieres of the concert film with Ozol’s guest appearance will be held on April 28 at the “Balle” cinema in Liepāja, and on April 30 at the Valmiera cinema. Gaisma” and on May 3 Ventspils “Kino RIO”. There will also be a premiere in Rēzekne, in the “Gors” cinema of the Latgale embassy, ​​on May 9 – this time, however, without the presence of Ozol himself. In addition, the film can also be viewed by LMT Smart Television subscribers.

“Thank you very much for trusting us to create such a large and important project,” rejoices Rolands Rekke, the director of the concert film. “Thanks to Ozol, that he was able to create such a great adventure not only for himself with a concert in the arena, but also for everyone involved with his drive, power and great work abilities. Recording the concert, behind the scenes and the entire post-production process was a big event for my camera crew, and certainly for many musicians, and for myself as well.” The director admitted that the job was not one of the easiest, because not everyone can do it to follow the very mobile and sporty Ozol on stage with the cameras.

“This film is another cool look back at the big arena concert and, of course, kind of an overview of the entire creation. I think the film’s director, Roland Rekke, got that feeling. I personally liked how this film used VHS footage, which gives it a more authentic, documentary feel. And, of course, the sound that Didzis Simanović made in the studio also gave its great value in the overall context of the film. To some extent, this is another stage that has ended with good, positive memories,” summarizes Ozols.

Ansis expressed an interesting opinion – Ozols and his music are perceived as 30-year-old, oak barrels, good cognac – you don’t have to feed it, you have to taste it!

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On the eve of the premiere of the concert film, rapper Ozols in an exclusive interview on the “Nra.lv conversations” program:

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