Before Breakin', Beat Street, and other films about hip hop in the 1980s, there was this obscure film from 1982 called Wild Style. In certain ways, Beat Street is almost like a bigger production remake of Wild Style, which is also about a graffiti artist in the South Bronx.
Wild Style is a low-budget film, yet it has some excellent cinematography and night shots. It has an artsy, old documentary film look that gives it a slight edge over Beat Street visually for authenticity.
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop, and Wild Style is a definitive must-see film about the birthplace of hip hop. Seeing how well it captured hip hop culture, it should be in the National Film Registry for its historical significance.
Beyond the music, breakdancing, slang, and graffiti, there is a subtext in Wild Style, and it's human resilience. Despite all the poverty and despair, people can still find hope and optimism.
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