Baz Luhrmann has been working on his latest project — a Netflix series called The Get Down — for almost ten years. Produced by Nas and Grandmaster Flash, the six-episode show tracks hip-hop’s journey from the Bronx to the mainstream in the late 1970s. At the center of the coming-of-age story is Ezekiel (Justice Smith), who we’ll watch as he makes his mark on a new scene, tries to stay out of trouble, and romances fellow musician Mylene (Herizen Guardiola).
Luhrmann was drawn to the project because he was interested in how a new, youth-led sound came about during one of the most devastating financial periods in the city’s history. With New York close to bankruptcy and unemployment rife, hip-hop narrated the experiences of a struggling city. Obviously, coming from the same brain that gave us Strictly Ballroom, the show won’t be all fiscal drama — the new trailer promises a lot of dancing, fashion, and romance.
The extensive ensemble cast is made up largely of newcomers — with the exception of Jaden Smith — so we expect to see some considerable breakout stars emerge. Check out the trailer below, and melt at the instantly classic line, “You truly are as fine as wine, and so divine, you know I had to make you mine.”
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Text Wendy Syfret
Image via Netflix