
Shot over three years, primarily on location in the Bronx, Wild Style is an invaluable record of graffiti in early 1980s New York.
A loosely-scripted fusion of fiction and documentary, it centres on up-and-coming graffiti artist Zoro (real life street artist George Lee Quiñones), promoter Phade (Fab 5 Freddy) and journalist Virginia – played by underground actress Patti Astor, later a key player in the downtown art world, founder of the FUN gallery, and early supporter of painter Jean-Michel Basquiat.
A minimal plot provides the excuse for appearances by the likes of graffiti artist Lady Pink, rap king Busy Bee, and breakdance crews Electric Force and Rock Steady, and some vivid set-pieces – including Grandmaster Flash spinning records in his mum’s kitchen, a rap-battle between Cold Crush and the Fantastic Freaks on a South Bronx basketball court, and a rousing finale at the East River Ampitheater, where Rammellzee roams the stage with a shotgun.
US 1983 Dir Charlie Ahearn 82 min
+Scratch Ecstasy
We open the doors early at our screening of Wild Style for a special presentation of Scratch Ecstasy, a 20-minute slide show from 1980 with an original mix by Grand Wizzard Theodore, who is credited with inventing the Scratch technique. One of the first documentations of hip hop culture, it is made up of images screened by director Charlie Ahearn at the Ecstasy Garage Disco in the Bronx. The slides, many of which Ahearn and Fab 5 Freddy have scratched, celebrate the pioneers of the movement who later appeared in Ahearn’s film Wild Style.
Courtesy of Charlie Ahearn and the P.P.O.W Gallery New York
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£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
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Barbican Cinema 3
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.