Sorry to Bother You (2018)

Boots Riley of The Coup takes his talents from the music world to the film world in his fresh, provocative, and outlandishly funny directorial debut.


Directed by: Boots Riley
Cinematography by: Doug Emmett
Country: United States


This is a movie that’s grown on me with each subsequent viewing. Sorry to Bother You is the directorial debut of musician and activist Boots Riley, the lead vocalist of the political hip hop group The Coup. Riley brings that same shock value that comes from political musicians - especially when their music has punk leanings - to Sorry to Bother You, which makes the initial viewing experience quite a whirlwind ride. Once you’re aware what’s in store though, the film is incredibly easy to appreciate for its clever and provocative sociopolitical concepts (specifically regarding late stage capitalism and race in the workplace), its unrelenting energy, and its vibrant and striking imagery.


This blend of absurdism, satire, and dystopian sci fi is packaged into a story about a Black telemarketer who learns to use his “white voice” in order to climb the corporate ladder of success, where once high enough, he stumbles into an unbelievably bizarre labor conspiracy. It’s fresh and funny as hell the whole way through, and I can’t wait to see where Riley goes from here.



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