 The Sundance Institute recently selected "The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke," a short film starring Miami-based rapper and 2 Live Crew founder Luther Campbell, for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival's Short Film Program.
The film was one of just 64 shorts selected for its Short Film Programs from a record 7,675 world-wide submissions.
"It's an honor to have a highly respected organization, such as the Sundance Film Institute, recognize me and my life as an important part of American culture by adding 'The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke' to their 2012 line up," an estatic Luke said.
"Freaky Times" first screened as a "working cut" at Borscht's 2011 festival in April, in front of a capacity crowd of over 1,700.
It is a modern Miami adaptation of the 1962 French short film "La Jetée," and recounts Campbell's rise to fame as he changed the face of hip-hop and fights for First Amendment rights -- and later as he ushers Miami into a golden era of peace and prosperity as mayor. Everything changes when a nuclear meltdown at Turkey Point turns Miami into a radioactive wasteland filled with mutants, and Campbell is the only survivor left unscathed.
"This film lets the industry, and the world, know that we have creative talent in Miami that rivals any other city in the world," said Campbell.
"We are honored to be selected for the second year in a row to the Sundance shorts program," added Borscht Corp. founder Lucas Leyva. "It is validation for all the hard work and support given to Borscht by the entire community with the belief that the films created in this city can hang with the best in the world. We hope to do Miami stories justice."
"Freaky Times" takes place entirely in a series of art installations by Mayer that warp perspective and reality.
"I wasn't sure how interested Luke would be in working on a small artsy short film with some local kids, but he couldn't have been more into it and supportive," said Evan Rosenfeld of Rakontur.
It the film wins an award at Sundance, it will automatically qualify the film to potentially be an Oscar nominee.
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