The short for this week is Kahil Joseph’s “Black Up,” a “short film that portrays a fever dream induced by the music Shabazz Palaces.” Shot in New York City and Puerto Rico, “Black Up” is the second numinous film Joseph has made with Shabazz Palaces—the first hiphop act to be signed to Sub Pop.

What one commenter had to say about “Black Up”: “If Terrence Malick had grown up in the hood, this is what the Tree of Life would have looked like.” I personally think "Black Up" is better than all of The Tree of Life, but the point made is meaningful. Malick wants to capture that area of life that knocks any ordinary moment of life out of the ordinary. Joseph work does capture such moments, but in a context that's utterly urban.