Sons of St. Clair

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony rose from the streets of Cleveland to become chart-topping, Grammy award-winning rap superstars in the 1990s. Their unique vocal technique, which blended R&B harmonies with fast-paced rhymes, caught the attention of N.W.A.’s Eazy-E, who signed them to Ruthless Records. Bone’s members have been active - both together and solo - since their 90s heyday. Sons of St. Clair follows Bizzy Bone and Krayzie Bone during the making of their 2017 collaboration New Waves, an adventurous effort that blends their famous sound with a modern pop feel. It’s a chance to break new ground again and an opportunity to appeal to a new generation. Tim Newfang’s documentary gives a fascinating inside look at their creative process, while sprinkling in biographical elements along the way. The film also captures their return to Cleveland, where they explore topics including LeBron James, downtown’s transformation, and how their old neighborhoods have yet to benefit from the city’s revitalization efforts. Like James, Bone made Clevelanders proud. They proved stars can rise from the Rust Belt. In Sons of St. Clair, they aim to do it again. (Cleveland International Film Festival)