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This video is unavailable. Watch Queue Queue. Watch Queue Queue. List of selected films and years 1999. Amargosa; American Movie; Beyond the Mat; Buena Vista Social Club; Genghis Blues; Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. On the Ropes; One Day in September; Pop & Me; Smoke and Mirrors: A History of Denial; The Source; Speaking in Strings; 2003. The Agronomist; Balseros; Bus 174; Capturing the Friedmans; Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles. Make social videos in an instant: use custom templates to tell the right story for your business. Celebrated graffiti artists 'Heir' and 'Vain' are superstars in the underground world of San Francisco; urban outlaws always on the run. After a clash with the law, they find their lives spinning out-of-control with explosive consequences.
For a month last summer, New Yorkers were absolutely consumed with all things Banksy. The acclaimed British street artist had come to NYC for a citywide “residency,” and his works popped up all over the city. HBO’s new user-generated documentary, Banksy Does New York (airing tonight at 9pm), recounts those halcyon days of stencils, street art, and secret identities. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to graffiti on film. We’ve rounded up seven more movies to check out, that will ensure you get your street-art fix.
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
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Documentary or mockumentary? Banksy insists it’s the former, but we’re inclined to think it’s a bit of both. This 2010 film follows Thierry Guerra, a French immigrant living in LA, who is obsessed with capturing street art on film. His fieldwork exposes him to a pretty impressive array of artists, from Invader (who turns out to be his cousin!?) to Swoon and Banksy himself. The most recent movie on our list, Exit Through the Gift Shop offers a solid glimpse of the current heavy hitters of international street art, and how their landscapes are changing as street art goes into the gallery.
Basquiat (1996)
Yes, this is a fictional account. But there’s no way we could leave Basquiat off this list, if for no other reason than David Bowie as Andy Warhol. Artist Julian Schnabel directed this biopic, which follows Basquiat’s street-art beginnings as SAMO, through his meeting with Warhol, rocket to stardom, and untimely demise. Jeffrey Wright, starring as the precocious artists, is a powerhouse.
Wild Style (1983)
Another fictional entry on our roundup, Wild Style is seminal for its portrayal of the New York graffiti and hip-hop scenes in the early ’80s. The film follows street artist Zoro, and is notable for incredible cameos from folks like Grandmaster Flash, Fab Five Freddy, the Rock Steady Crew, and more. The movie has a huge cult following, with some fairly influential fans; you can find samples from it on albums by Nas, Dilla, the Beastie Boys, and A Tribe Called Quest. Wild Style perfectly captures just how intertwined early graffiti and early hip-hop scenes were.
Style Wars (1983)
The documentary response to Wild Style‘s call, Style Wars first aired on PBS before going on to win the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The filmmakers (including graffiti photographer Henry Chalfant) not only talk to the young artists on the scene, but also speak with New York City mayor (at the time) Ed Koch — who was cracking down on “defacement of public property” — cops, and art critics.
Bomb It (2007)
Bomb It takes a much more global look at street art, following the intersection (and friction) of graffiti, public space, and public officials in Cape Town, London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York City, and São Paulo. An excellent survey, the film is pieced together from a lot of original footage, supplied by the artists themselves.
Krush Groove (1985)
Krush Groove is a thinly veiled look at the founding of Def Jam records. But that intertwining of graffiti and hip-hop mentioned early is again apparent in this entertaining flick. Watch it less for an education, and more for an immersion into the sights and sounds of the era. Bonus: An obviously incredible soundtrack, boasting tracks from the hip-hop stars of the film (who also played themselves): Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, Sheila E., the Fat Boys, LL Cool J, and more.
RASH (2005)
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Another documentary to take you out of NYC, RASH examines the recent explosion of street art in Melbourne, Australia. If you weren’t aware of that city’s claim to street-art fame, spend some time on Google image search, and then watch this movie. The street-art community there (comprised of both residents and visiting artists) is vibrant and very tight-knit.
Banksy Does New York (2014)
Catch this one on HBO starting tonight at 9pm!
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MOVIE DRESSES BAMcinématek presents 'Nine Chances: agnès b. Selects,' a series of films chosen by a French fashion designer, Agnès Troublé.The series begins with a screening of Buster Keaton's 'Seven Chances' (1925). Pianist Donald Sosin provides live accompaniment during the screening. Tonight, 7 p.m., BAM Rose Cinemas, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave., between St. Felix Street and Ashland Place, 718-636-4100, $10 general, $7 students, seniors, and members.
ECOTOPIA ON FILM The International Center of Photography and the IFC Center present 'Ecotopia,' a 10-week film series examining landscape and global environmental change. The series features 'New Orleans in the Wake of Katrina,' a collection of short films about the recovery of Louisiana. Tonight, 7 p.m., IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave. at 3rd Street, 212-924-7771, $10.75 general, $7 seniors and members. For complete information, go to ifccenter.com.
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MURAL WARS The Route 06: Scion Independent Film Series features a screening of Doug Pray's documentary 'Infamy' (2006), which follows six street artists who struggle to keep graffiti culture alive. Tonight, 8 p.m., Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave. at 2nd Street, 212-505-5181, free.