Overview:
The documentary follows Cilvaringz’s journey from devoted Wu-Tang Clan fan to collaborator on an extraordinary musical project.
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin challenges conventional ideas about music ownership, exclusivity and artistic value.
The film offers a fascinating story but could benefit from more perspectives from Wu-Tang Clan members.
Some music stories are about fame, money and success. Others take a much stranger turn. ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’, now streaming on Netflix, tells the story of a devoted Wu-Tang Clan fan who went from admiring the legendary hip-hop group to helping create one of the most controversial albums in music history.
Directed by Joanna Natasegara, the documentary follows Dutch-Moroccan rapper and producer Tarik Azzougarh, better known as Cilvaringz, and his journey from an outsider to a collaborator with the group.
At the center of it all is Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, a one-of-a-kind album that challenged the way music is made, sold and owned. It is an unusual story, and one that raises some uncomfortable questions about the price of chasing a dream.
A Fan Who Wanted to Be Part of the Story
Cilvaringz's journey begins with his love for hip-hop and his admiration for Wu-Tang Clan. Like countless fans around the world, he looked up to the group and connected with its music. But his admiration went beyond listening to albums and following their careers. He wanted to meet the artists, earn their respect and become part of their world.
This documentary reveals the attempts made by the man to approach his idol, such as traveling to New York and developing a bond with RZA, the legendary producer of Wu-Tang Clan.
In my opinion, the most interesting thing about this part of the film is the extent to which Cilvaringz goes to make his dream come true. Such a story is something that everybody may relate to, but at the same time, it raises the question of the boundary between dedication and obsession.
While using personal video clips and archival footage, the film sheds light on the journey of the artist. The problem is that the story is mainly based on the experience of the man himself, and it makes one wonder about the memories of the other members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
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The Album That Broke All the Rules
The story takes an unexpected turn with Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. Created over several years with RZA's involvement, the 31-track album was built around a bold idea: what if music were treated like a rare work of art rather than something made available to millions of listeners?
Rather than publishing many editions, the artists chose only to produce one edition, which they housed in a highly luxurious silver case. The goal was to counter an increasingly digitized industry where downloads, streams and accessible music reign supreme.
This was certainly a bold move, but there was a clear contradiction in it as well. The artists sought to convince people to treat music like art that deserves to be valued, financially speaking; however, the exclusive nature of the album prevented its listeners from listening to it.
The documentary highlights this contradiction while at the same time not losing sight of the incredible ambition of the whole endeavor. Whatever the viewer may think of the genius or complexity of the idea, there is no denying that it was revolutionary for the music industry.
Martin Shkreli Changed the Conversation
In 2015, pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli purchased the album for $2 million. His involvement brought the project widespread attention, but not necessarily the kind its creators would have wanted.
Shkreli was already notorious for having hiked up the price of life-saving medicine Daraprim. Buying an album that is meant to challenge the concepts of ownership and value brought an unwanted connection between a creative project and an extremely disliked businessman.
During an interview on PEOPLE, RZA discusses Shkreil's role in the history of the album. The artist's participation started to get entwined with the story of the album itself and to obscure the initial intentions that surrounded its creation.
That's what makes the movie especially captivating. An album that was meant to change the way people thought about the value of music raised even more complicated questions about wealth, access, and the control of art.
What Works and What Doesn't
The biggest strength of ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’ is its extraordinary central story.
The story of Cilvaringz is truly interesting, and the way the album was created and owned makes it very entertaining to watch. At the same time, the movie offers a lot of food for thought without transforming the story into the praise of success.
Nonetheless, it should be mentioned that the movie is sometimes too close to the point of view of Cilvaringz himself. It would be nice if there were more opinions of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
It should also be mentioned that it is not a full-length documentary about the Wu-Tang Clan. People who were looking for information on their music and impact on the world of hip hop should know it.
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Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’ is worth watching for its remarkable story, even if it leaves some questions unanswered.
It explores what happens when a fan's ambition becomes an extraordinary creative project, and how that project can take on a life of its own once money and public perception enter the picture.
The documentary may not tell the whole Wu-Tang story, but it offers a fascinating look at one of its most unusual chapters. For hip-hop fans, music lovers and anyone interested in the complicated relationship between art and commerce, it makes for a compelling Netflix watch.
Ultimately, the film leaves viewers with a question worth considering: when music becomes so exclusive that its own fans cannot access it, what exactly is being preserved; the art, or its value?
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FAQs
What is ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’ About?
The Netflix documentary follows Cilvaringz, a devoted Wu-Tang Clan fan who becomes a collaborator and helps create Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, an unconventional album.
Who is Cilvaringz in the Documentary?
Cilvaringz, whose real name is Tarik Azzougarh, is a Dutch-Moroccan rapper and producer whose admiration for Wu-Tang Clan eventually leads to a professional relationship with RZA.
What Makes Once Upon a Time in Shaolin Unique?
The album contains 31 tracks and was produced as a single edition, challenging conventional music distribution while raising questions about exclusivity, ownership and the financial value of art.
Who Bought Once Upon a Time in Shaolin?
Pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli purchased the unique album for $2 million in 2015, bringing widespread attention and controversy to the project and its artistic ambitions.
Is ‘The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable’ Worth Watching?
Yes, the documentary offers an intriguing story about fandom, ambition and music ownership. However, viewers seeking a comprehensive history of Wu-Tang Clan may find its focus narrow.