THE WARRIORS AND 80 BLOCKS FROM TIFFANY'S
This weeks screenings are themed 'NEW YORK KILLS ME'
featuring two of the late 70’s and early 80’s most iconic film adaptations, the
first is Sol Yurick's (one of the founding members of Students for a Democratic
society) re-imagining of Anabasis by Xenophon, the Greek story of Cyrus the
younger and his failed attempt to take the throne of Persia from his brother,
killed in battle Cyrus’s attempted overthrow imploded. The Warriors screen
adaptation by Walter Hill appeared just over a decade later with its vivid
colours lyrical text driving infectious soundtrack and pin tight choreography
turning it into an instant cult classic. The second was inspired by Jon
Bradshaw's 38-page article for Esquire magazine in 1977 on the gangs of New
York. Documentary filmmaker Gary Weis took the source material and constructed
a very compelling documentary film in 80 BLOCKS FROM TIFFANY'S which tells the
story of the Savage Skulls and the Savage Nomads telling the poignant funny and
raw story of New York gang culture. This film manages to show the harsh,
explicit side of gang culture filmmaker Gary Weis was able to get up close to
the gang members and winning their trust breaking down the metaphorical that
had keep previous documentary filmmakers out, so also being able to reflect on
the humorous and light hearted side of the gang members 80 BLOCKS FROM
TIFFANY’S was one of the first documentaries to give a voice to young Americas
counter-culture and in many ways a lot like The Warriors film it quickly became
an underground hit and a counter-culture classic as well as kick starting a
whole new style of filmmaking. Both films will be screened back to back for you to compare
and contrast.
No comments:
Post a Comment