In a world a long, long ago, there was Wild Style, the film that can be legitimately called the first
hip-hop film ever made.
The low budget musical docu-drama, directed by Charlie Ahearn, revolves around the
life of a New York City graffiti
artist, played by real-life graffiti artist Lee
Quinones, as he deals with his life, his work and his relationship with a
fellow artist Rose (Sandra Fabara). It features performances by hip-hop luminaries of the day like Grandmaster
Flash, Fab Five Freddy, Rock Steady Crew and Cold Crush Brothers, and can rightly claim to be one of the very few films ever made that had a ground-breaking cultural impact.
The film’s success led to other similar films, such as Style Wars and Michael Schultz’s Krush Groove with Run DMC, Sheila E and New Edition.
And even, unfortunately, Cannon Film’s Breakin, and Breakin
2, with Boogaloo Shrimp and Shabba Doo.
But let’s not go there; instead I will tell you that Music Box Films has released a special 30th
anniversary collector’s edition DVD of Wild Style, which includes a newly-remastered version
of the film, and a collection of new and never-before-seen bonus materials, plus a 48-page booklet written by the director Charlie
Ahearn.
Aside from the feature length commentary by Ahearn and Fab Five Freddy, the DVD set also includes 7 featurettes about the film, and 7 interviews as well, including a new one with Quinones.
The film was released in theaters last month, but only in New York, inr a one-week theatrical engagement at The IFC Center.
Director Charlie Ahearn was present, in person for some of the screenings for Q&As that followed.
Now you can watch it in the comfort of your homes on this newly remastered 30th anniversary edition of the classic film.
Below is a newly released clip from the film, followed by its original release trailer:
