Style Wars

Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant's 1983 PBS-aired documentary arrived at a time when many mainstream artists and musicians were trying to assimilate the burgeoning hip-hop culture into their own work, but scarcely anybody understood it. A remarkable time capsule, the film ostensibly offers a balanced portrait of taggers painting on walls and NYC subway cars vs. the middle-aged white bureaucrats trying to keep the city clean. On one side, Silver and Chalfant present Mayor Ed Koch and the cadre of grim-faced transportation officials who use dogs, fences, and new laws to eliminate what they see as a potent menace, while on the other, the filmmakers introduce a vibrant and diverse community of artists including graffiti pioneers such as Seen, Kase 2, and nefarious over-writer Cap. Armed with pens, spray paint, and a "no fear" 'tude, these renegade artists were in the vanguard of a cultural movement that also encompassed the music of Grandmaster Flash and the furious breaking moves of the Rock Steady Crew. Ultimately, the graffiti writers prove to be candid, brash, intelligent, and committed in a way that those opposing them can't fathom. Disc one of this double disc set includes the film, outtakes, and filmmaker interviews, while the second disc is loaded with artist galleries. Highly recommended. (D. Fienberg)