The Carter
Encyclopedia
The Carter is a 2009 documentary film about Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as Lil Wayne
. The film was directed by Adam Bhala Lough
. The Carter documents Lil Wayne
in the period before and shortly after the release of Tha Carter III
and was filmed between 2007-2008. During the filming of The Carter, no interviews with Lil Wayne
were conducted by the filmmakers who shot in a completely Cinéma vérité
style. Although he initially agreed to the film, it was later subject to a lawsuit by Carter, who objected to the film's release after the second screening at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Evidently Carter's attempts to block the film were a reaction to the film's depiction of Carter's heavy use of marijuana and cough syrup
as recreational drugs. Despite Carter's attempts the film was released on November 17, 2009 after a judge threw out the case. The independently distributed film topped iTunes
movie charts in its first week of release and Huffington Post called it "one of the top five greatest hip-hop documentaries of all time."
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. The film was directed by Adam Bhala Lough
Adam Bhala Lough
Adam Bhala Lough is an American film director and screenwriter from Virginia. In 2002 he directed and wrote his first film Bomb the System, which was nominated for a 2004 Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. His follow-up film, WEAPONS, starred Paul Dano and was nominated for the Grand...
. The Carter documents Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
in the period before and shortly after the release of Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream...
and was filmed between 2007-2008. During the filming of The Carter, no interviews with Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
were conducted by the filmmakers who shot in a completely Cinéma vérité
Cinéma vérité
Cinéma vérité is a style of documentary filmmaking, combining naturalistic techniques with stylized cinematic devices of editing and camerawork, staged set-ups, and the use of the camera to provoke subjects. It is also known for taking a provocative stance toward its topics.There are subtle yet...
style. Although he initially agreed to the film, it was later subject to a lawsuit by Carter, who objected to the film's release after the second screening at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Evidently Carter's attempts to block the film were a reaction to the film's depiction of Carter's heavy use of marijuana and cough syrup
Purple drank
Purple drank is a slang term for a recreational drug popular in the hip hop community in the southern United States, originating in Houston, Texas. Its main ingredient is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine. Cough syrup is typically mixed with ingredients such as...
as recreational drugs. Despite Carter's attempts the film was released on November 17, 2009 after a judge threw out the case. The independently distributed film topped iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
movie charts in its first week of release and Huffington Post called it "one of the top five greatest hip-hop documentaries of all time."