I’m kicking off 2023 by trying to watch and review one movie every day for the first 90 days, all of which will be 90 minutes or less.
Title: Style Wars
Release Date: 1983
Director: Tony Silver
Production Company: Public Art Films
Summary/Review:
A lot of trains, a lot of fun, a lot of art. Art that’s gonna be part of New York City’s history forever. – Iz the Wiz
In the 1970s, the graffiti-covered subway train became a symbol of the “decline of New York City.” For the young people of the city, though, graffiti writing served as a form of expression in a growing culture that also created rap music and breakdancing. This documentary made for PBS television has kind of naive and square outsiders feel to it, but it works because the director allows the subjects of the film to do most of the talking. There’s a lot of candid discussion of their methods, their artistry, as well as the beefs among artists (especially the villainous “Cap”).
In addition to graffiti writers talking about their art, other perspectives are offered from MTA employees, police officers, commuters, and Mayor Ed Koch. They all hate the graffiti and what it represents to the people of the City who don’t want to have their names on every line of the subway. A highlight of the movie is a joint interview with graffiti writer Skeme and his mother, the latter of whom does not approve of her son’s art at all. The film also documents the start of the decline of graffiti culture as high-end art studios start getting some writers to create works on canvas for sale. Meanwhile, the MTA erects double fences with razor wire and guard dogs around the subway yards.
This is the New York City I remember visiting as a child and the cool kid culture I could only admire from afar in the suburbs. It’s hard to believe that 40 years have gone by already, but the City has changed so much that this movie almost feels like it’s from a different world.
Rating: ****1/2
Panorama of the Mountains 