The Coolidge Corner Theatre

Director appearing in person!

Made on a shoestring in order to capture the graffiti scene as authentically as possible, Florian Gaag’s debut feature tells the story of a crew of four young graffiti artists dedicated to creating their own special values, rules and codes. It’s a story about friendship and a passion for spraying that transcends all reason; it begins when another crew appears on the scene. Before long, a struggle for honor and style ensues that reaches the limit when David, Elyas and Achim decide to spray a ‘wholetrain’ – an entire subway train. This project will change their lives forever.

Writer-director Florian Gaag was himself a member of Munich’s graffiti scene for many years. He later took up studies at Tisch School of the Arts in New York, also contributing to the Hip Hop magazine, “Juice”. Gaag persuaded well-known international graffiti artists Won, Cemnoz, Pure, Ciel and Neon to create both the graffiti and graffiti pieces for his film. Filmed in Munich and Warsaw, most of the young cast and crew working either in front of the camera or behind it were doing so for the first time.

Recommended for 12 years and older

dir. Florian Gaag, Germany 2006. 1h29m DVD
German with English subtitles