The Bastard Child follows three University of Chicago students as they embark on a journey to explore the rich yet endangered legacy of Chicago House music. Their quest to uncover the genre's roots leads them to examine its profound ties to race, gender, and gentrification, revealing House music as both a beacon of love and acceptance and a cultural bulwark against erasure. Through heartfelt conversations with influential figures like Leonard Remix Rroy, DJ Lady D, Byron Stingily, Gene Hunt, and everyday partygoers, the documentary delves into how House music has shaped and fortified the Chicago community. The film adopts a reflexive style, intertwining the students' own journey of discovery with the stories of House veterans like DJ Steve Disco Harris, showing how the transformative power of music unites communities across generations. The Bastard Child is a powerful tribute to the enduring spirit of House music, capturing its capacity to connect, confront, and heal.
This documentary was created by William Yung, Donaven Craddock, and Thomas Chang. It was selected for the Chicago Underground Film Festival 2024 and as the semi-finalist of the Indie Short Film Festival June 2024.