A newcomer to the film festival arena this year is Sabrina Lee, who has produced a provocative, yet, touching documentary called, “Where You From”, which focuses on 3 mc’s from the unlikeliest of places –following their passion and pursing their dreams. Along the way we discover how hip hop is central to their conflicts, and watch as they express themselves through words, raps & rhymes creatively as the endure their victories, defeats, addictions and hardships of small town life.

Lee does an incredible job of bringing us into their world, delicately. One never feels obtrusive while viewing her piece even though we feel their struggle and are introduced to their weaknesses. Their stories unfold almost rhythmically and the audience realizes how their music is a critical and cathartic element of their lives.

We follow as Franco from Fortuna (Humbolt County), CA tries to win the top prize at the Scribble Jam (the hip hop competition that even Eminem placed second in), Chris from Bozeman, Montana who is seeking a relationship with his estranged father while performing with his uber-hip and funky eight piece band, Eightrack Mind and Tommy 2Tone, an ex-con trying to do right by his family and kick his meth addiction and legal problems, while expressing himself and his addictions so poignoigntly through his lyrics.

All of them share this dire necessity to express themselves through words, though each of their journeys, are uniquely different. As you immerse yourself into their world, you feel as if you’ve known each of them in your daily life—by opening up about their families, insecurities, and addictions—you see how music is their vehicle of escape and elation.

It is no wonder that “Where Your From” garnered the “Best Music Documentary” at San Francisco’s Frozen Film Festival in July 2009, and will be seeking distribution through other film festivals later this year.

Sabrina Lee offered some insight in regard to her documentary and it’s quite impressive to discover that this is in fact Lee’s first attempt at making a documentary!

Lee explained that she and her husband were driving on a country road in Northern California (5 hours north of San Francisco) and spotted a hand-painted sign in the middle of a cow pasture that read “Hip-Hop Show Tonight.” One would expect to find a sign that read, “Dirt for Sale” or Church Revival”, in such a rural part of the country not a hip-hop, sign. It seemed incongruous to the couple, which in turn sparked their curiosity, so they went.

Lee stated, “I was taken aback by the talent I observed that evening and was doubly impressed by the dedication to their craft and originality of their rhymes.” After two years of contemplating the possibility and the support and encouragement from her husband (who helped tremendously with their two children during the filming), she decided to make the film.

She immediately called old-time high-school pal from North Carolina School of the Arts, Matthew Buzzell who is an award-winning filmmaker of music documentaries himself—he created the Elvis Costello documentary about post-Katrina New Orleans (“Putting the River in Reverse”) and also the documentary about the rock band Luna’s farewell tour (“Tell Me Do You Miss ME”). He immediately confirmed that he thought her idea was brilliant and as luck would have it, his schedule had opened up and they joined forces. They also brought on Emmy-award winner Justine Lubke (cinematographer & editor) and Deborah Bardow (editor) who both made huge artistic contributions.

Though the film could be considered a more authentic version of “8 Mile” and focuses on the hip hop scene, there is an endearing theme of human nature and relationships that is quite apparent, as well. Perhaps, because Lee is a mother and so much of being a mother is helping your children feel safe and respected—this trait transferred into her documentary as she connected with her characters allowing them to express themselves without judgment. It was of utmost importance to her that the film feel like it belonged to the characters, which it undoubtedly does.

Lee is a novice filmmaker with the skills of a mainstream director and once you watch “Where You From” you will see that even if you are not a hip-hop fan, you end up rooting for every mc. It’s more of a journey of 3 young, talented men with a vision and unrelenting drive to succeed while confronting small town life, broken families and addictions.

When asked what in the world made her fathom the idea that she could take on a project of this size by herself, without any real experience in filmmaking, she immediately attributes her mother.

Lee explained how her mother ran away to join he Ringling Brothers Circus when she was 17, where she became an aerialist and rode the lead elephant until she broke her back when she was 24. She then got married, had four children and bred champion Rottweilers for 20 years, despite the fact that she had no background with dogs—and then at age 55 went back to school to become a nurse. Therefore, Sabrina has that “ can do” attitude coursing through her very veins. So, in a way—she also has a lot in common with the mc’s she featured in her documentary. The courage to pursue what you feel is right and the faith that you’ll get there. The film was actually dedicated to her mother’s memory.

If you are interested in finding out more about the documentary, please visit www.whereyoufromfilm.com.