Style Wars

Style Wars is a Documentative Classic from 1983 and one of the earliest comprehensive portrayals of hip hop culture. It stars graffiti artists Demon, Kase 2, and renowned graphic designer Eric Haze, real cultural figures who helped shape the world of hip hop inside and out. Let there be no mistake, whilst the film may not have a fictional story or a big box office production house backing, it is a significant cultural exploration into the heart of the nascent movement, offering a raw and honest look at an art form that many misunderstood.

At the center of Style Wars is the graffiti culture of New York City, shown in all its audacious glory. The film, directed by Tony Silver and produced in collaboration with graffiti artist Henry Chalfant, chronicles the lives and experiences of several infamous graffiti artists, offering an inside look at their passion, creative process, and the societal challenges they face in their pursuit of self-expression. It doesn't just make you watch the experience; it draws you into it, making you a part of this underground world.

Before Banksy and street art hit the mainstream, Style Wars was showcasing the subculture of graffiti art, expressing stories of its artists. Demon and Kase 2 are among those featured, both of whom were well-known figures in the scene during the '80s. Eric Haze’s art experience is reflected upon too; his pieces giving a polished finesse to the wild-style graffiti of the time. Their interactions, personal motivations, and daily struggles form a large part of the narrative.

The film was one of the first to elevate graffiti as art and reveal its effect on urban culture. It portrayed the growing frustrations of beleaguered city officials and law enforcement in dealing with this underground scene. The dispute between New York's then-mayor Ed Koch and the aerosol artists, their constant cat and mouse chase, is a notable subplot. The film often expertly balances the tension between the artists' creative expression and the city's efforts to control vandalism.

A beyond-the-wall peek into graffiti scene, this film also illuminously illuminates the broader early hip-hop culture, embodying an ethos of unfiltered creativity, audacious expression, and youthful rebellion. And while the primary focus is on graffiti art, Style Wars also explores the allied elements of hip hop culture - breakdancing and rapping. The scenes involving the Rock Steady Crew, an early breakdance group, provide fascinating details into the origins of the movement.

Moreover, Style Wars does a fantastic job of capturing the sounds and sights of the early '80s New York. The cinematography is vintage and carries an almost nostalgic sentimentality; the shots of graffiti-laden subways and borough-street landscapes overflow with the gritty realism of the city’s rugged urban living. The score perfectly complements the visuals with it's matching old-school beats that reverb with the culture it’s showcasing.

The undeniable authenticity of Style Wars is perhaps its greatest strength. Unlike later depictions of hip-hop culture, it was created by and for those within the scene. This feature-length classic provides an invaluable time capsule of this rebellious period in New York's history, the expressive outlet for marginalized communities, and the street culture that birthed rap as we know it today.

The film has received wide praise for its authenticity and cultural value. And even if you are not particularly interested in hip hop or graffiti art, Style Wars, at its essence, is a universal story about the struggles and challenges artists face while striving for personal expression.

In the end, Style Wars is much more than a film. It's a celebration of creative freedom, a timeless snapshot of the passionate struggle between artists and society, and an invaluable historical record of a movement that has since exploded into mainstream consciousness. A must-watch for all art enthusiasts, pop culture historians, and for anyone looking to understand the graffiti world from the inside out. This is a legendary piece from a bygone era that still resonates today.