Style Wars & Style Wars Revisited (DVD)

When director Tony Silver & co-producer Henry Chalfant delivered the broadcast version of their prize-winning film to PBS in 1983, the world received its first full immersion in the phenomenon that had taken over New York City. The urban landscape was physically transformed by graffiti artists who invented a new visual language to express both their individuality, & the voice of their community. In Style Wars, New Yorks ramshackle subway system is their public playground, battleground & spectacular artistic canvas. Opposing them by every means possible are mayor Ed Koch, the police, & the New York Transit Authority. Meanwhile, as MCs, DJs & B-boys rock the city with new sounds & new moves, we see street corner break dance battles turn into performance art. Extras include outtake footage, directory commentary, 32 graffiti artist galleries, guest interviews with Fab 5 Freddy, Goldie, Guru, DJ Red Alert & photographer Martha Cooper. Featuring music from Def Jux recording artists El-P, RJD2 & Aesop Rock, plus Mr. Wiggles, Kimson Angloa Red Albert, & Darryl Jennifer. 70 minutes + 3 1/2 hours bonus footage on 2 DVDs. Plexifilm. 2003.