Style wars

United States, 1983

Film
Image via TMDb

Examines New York’s “hiphop” subculture - the cradle of graffiti, breakdancing and rap music movements which have rocked the international worlds of art and entertainment. Cleverly juxtaposes the viewpoints of the graffiti writers, with those of law enforcement officers and government officials. Mayor Koch advocates five days in jail for repeat “graffiti” offenders and it would appear that there doesn’t seem to be much attempt by those working for the system to understand this sub-culture.

Credits

director

Tony Silver

co-producer

Henry Chalfant

Tony Silver

production company

Public Art Films

Language

English

Duration

01:08:53:00

Colour

Colour

ACMI Identifier

33984

Subject categories

Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → New York (N.Y.)

Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → United States - Social life and customs

Crafts & Visual Arts → Art and society

Crafts & Visual Arts → Graffiti

Crafts & Visual Arts → Public art

Crafts & Visual Arts → Street art

Documentary

Documentary → Documentary films - United States

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Culture - Social aspects

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Hip-hop - Social aspects

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Justice, Administration of

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Social influence

Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Sociology, Urban

Feature films

Feature films → Feature films - United States

Music & Performing Arts → Hip-hop

Music & Performing Arts → Hip-hop - New York (State) - New York

Music & Performing Arts → Rap (Music)

Music & Performing Arts → Rap musicians

Places → New York (N.Y.)

Sound/audio

Sound

Holdings

16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)

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Cite this work

If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/78194--style-wars/ |title=Style wars |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=28 January 2021 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}