Bringing Out the Dead

It's been four years since filmmaker Nick Broomfield shocked Sundance with his controversial, Seattle-scouring doc ''Kurt & Courtney.'' But last month, he was back in Park City with ''Biggie & Tupac,'' a twisty investigation into the murders of the two hip-hop heavyweights -- a story rife with crooked cops, shifty lawyers, and lots of egos (it has yet to secure distribution).

Among the highlights: rare footage of Tupac Shakur, provided by his friends (the rapper's estate didn't cooperate with Broomfield, citing their own Tupac projects); cameos by Biggie Small's mother Marcella Wallace, who guides the British Broomfield through the L.A. hip-hop world; and a rare chat with then-imprisoned Death Row head Suge Knight, whom the film portrays in a less-than-flattering light. So don't look for Knight at the premiere: ''If you do something you feel is accurate, most people respect that,'' says Broomfield. ''Would I watch it with him in the next seat? That would rank high in terms of a nightmare.''

You Might Also Like

• Review Biggie & Tupac (Sep 27, 2002) | Owen Gleiberman
• Movie News Filmmaker stands by ''Biggie & Tupac,'' despite report (Sep 27, 2002) | Brian M. Raftery
• Hear & Now Hear & Now | Brian M. Raftery, Tom Sinclair
• Reel World HE'LL NEVER SPEND CASH IN THIS TOWN AGAIN
• Hear & Now Hear And Now | Tom Sinclair
• DVD Q&A Q&A with Margaret Cho (Aug 17, 2004) | Timothy Gunatilaka