Directed by the father and son team of Sam and Jason Pollard, Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale Of Two Dirtys aims to document the life and career of Russel Jones, known professionally as Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan. Using interviews, family home videos, and news footage, the Pollards document Jones’ humble beginnings and his rise to fame with the Wu-Tang Clan as his larger than life persona, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Eventually the lines would blur between Russell’s real life and Ol’ Dirty Bastard and would lead to his death at only 35 years old.
The documentary starts from the beginning with ODB’s birth in Brownsville, Brooklyn to a father who was a huge music fan, and a mother who was a talented singer. Crime would push them out of the neighborhood in search of better for their family. They would end up in Linden Plaza, a relative oasis for them. This new environment allowed the family to thrive and laid the groundwork for the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan. GZA, RZA, and Old Dirty Bastard began experimenting with hip-hop expression and performed their first rap routines while hanging out at ODB's Linden Plaza home.
The majority of this story is told through interviews with Ol’ Dirty Bastards friends and family including Mariah Carey, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Iceline Jones (Wife), Ramsey Jones (Brother), RZA, William “Boot” Jones (Father), Funkmaster Flex, Sophia Chang, Stretch Armstrong and many more. It’s easily apparent the impact ODB had based on the multitude of people who show up in the film with fond memories of him. This is the side of Dirty we encounter: the bright, intelligent, caring, and talented family man from Brooklyn. It’s great watching this unfold, but Russel Jones’ life was also plagued with adversity before and after the initial success of Wu-Tang Clan. This is where we encounter the other side of Dirty, a man grappling with fame, mental health challenges, and drug addiction. His reliance on drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for newfound fame and responsibilities sent him into a downward spiral, leading to situations that took a toll on his physical and mental well-being. The documentary does not shy away from the dark aspects of Ol’ Dirty Bastard's life, and at times some of what’s witnessed and reported can be enough to move a viewer to tears.
Overall, I believe Sam and Jason Pollard, with the invaluable support of ODB's family, friends, and colleagues, have done a great job of getting under the surface of the outrageous, mythical version of Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Their documentary peels back the layers, and allows the human being to shine through the darkness that surrounded him. Directed: Sam & Jason Pollard
Where To Watch: A&E Network, Rent and Buy on Digital Platforms (iTunes, Fandango)
Released: August 25th, 2024 Words by Monk
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