Independent documentary film maker Bob Bryan has
proven once again with his new documentaryGV2
that there's much more to the Graffiti Art Movement than at first glance.
Flying high above Los Angeles in a "ghetto bird," GV2
starts out by looking down on our streets, seeking out those artists who
ply their incendiary craft on the walls of our cities while we sleep.
"Skill" and his graffiti
art crew U.T.I. (Under The Influence) attack the walls of the infamous
Belmont tunnels (home of the birth of Graffiti Art in LA) with the blockbuster
letters "S-K-I-L-L-E-R UTI." Preexisting
wall pieces are buffed out of existence to create space for their new and
historic production. Spanning hundreds
of feet long and at least 12 feet high, this letter production is strategically
designed
"to blow some minds
in this yard, and it's about time!"
Cover
designed by SLICK (Shaolin Bros.)
says Skill, defacto
leader of the U.T.I. graffiti crew. GV2
follows in the footsteps of Bob Bryan's documentary
classic GRAFFITI VERITE',
the multi award winning documentary (released in 1995). "An amazing film
that explores the eclectic world of hip hop and the urban graffiti artist."
Produced by Bryan World Productions
GRAFFITI VERITE'
is the winner of THE
NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL MEDIA NETWORKS "Gold
Apple," COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL NON
THEATRICAL EVENTS"CINE
Golden Eagle,"THE HONOLULU
UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL "Best
of Festival,"THE
1997 COLORLAB AWARD's "Outstanding
Documentary,"A.V.C.
REGIONAL CINDY COMPETITION "Silver
Cindy" and
other honors.
Professionally executed
by Mr. Bryan in GRAFFITI VERITE' and
now in GV2,
both films unearth the obvious truth about the historical relevance of
the Graffiti Art Movement, set against the backdrop of today's urban landscape.
"Graffiti is like a virus that has penetrated
every level of our consciousness, and like
mostviruses
you cannot detect its presence until it 's blown up! Folks are ignorant
about Graffiti Arts historyand
power," says Bryan.
"Graffiti Art is a direct expression of societies' psychological
state of mind , it's an
'in-your-face' sign
of our times!"
According to Bryan,
never before in history has there been such an art movement that has impacted
so many people on a worldwide basis.
"Graffiti Art is both loved and hated; it's freely given away to
the anonymous public
galleries and
private collectors, butstill
it's inherent value is totally unappreciated by the masses."
"The walls are screaming loudly and we are ignoring its significance. If
'your child'
were yelling
at the top of his or her lungs in the next room, would you ignore their
agonizing
screams?
I don't think so..."
Bryan believes that
as a culture we cannot afford to be so blind, not to read the writing on
the wall. The canvas walls of our city streets are being used like newspapers,
just as the LOS ANGELES TIMES uses paper, to tell the story of the people's
daily struggle and search for identity. Of course, this controversial public
art dialogue is articulated with allot more flavor, attitude, passion and
conviction.
"We study hieroglyphics and cave writings to try
to understand its connection to it's
culture but somehow we choose to disregard the messages being blasted loudly
and
in 3Don
today's graffiti filled walls. It doesn't make sense."
As Toonz (a well known
Graffiti Artist) stated in GRAFFITI VERITE':
" If you want to know what's going on
in your cities, read the writing on the walls." In
GV2 the
film maker brilliantly managesto "personalize" these 19
artists, moving them elegantly from stereotypes to "real people," revealing
the reasons why this movement has become the most popular and powerful
cultural force of the 90's.
"Graffiti
Artists have infiltrated corporate America, redefining how they (corporate
America) present themselves to the world."
Graffiti art now competes
with cigarettes, liquor manufacturers, MTV, Nike, Coca Cola and politicians
for valuable advertising space in the public arena. The end result is similar
to how Rap Music has become the all pervasive voice of 'ghetto youth'
within the contemporary pop music industry today. Graffiti Art is the overt
and oftentimes subliminal device used to "reach" the youth of today
and future leaders of tomorrow. It raises the important question of "Who's
programming who?" With more than 400 graffiti art images packed into
GV2,(including
the winners of THE
FIRST INTERNATIONAL GRAFFITI ART COMPETITION)
this documentary
is a visually hypnotic ride, driven by the artists' narrative and the wall
to wall underground music soundtrack of: B-Real "Psycho Realm" (Cypress
Hill Family), DMG & Daddy V, Home Invasion Part 1, Linoleum Mekanix,
Black Mikey and
others.
GV2's
brutally honest depiction of the behind the scene's reality and philosophy
of the "art movement of the new millennium," is a real eye-opener. Check
it out! Z
"Required viewing for all citizens of big cities
that don't understand the
significance and impact of Graffiti."
- Rap Pages
(excerpted review
of GRAFFITI VERITE')
"This video
is an instant classic with graf lovers everywhere. The series is really
truly brilliant and
gives a better
perspective on graffiti than the media would and does. If you like graf
and you like well
made underground
videos than this is for you. If you dont like that, buy it anyway because
you will.
From stencilbombers
to some of the oldest writers around this video has it all no comercials
and some real
good hip hop and rap music ."
-Online Review
To Order the other Videos in
the Documentary Video Series - Click the Cover Art
Independent documentary film maker Bob Bryan has
proven once again with his new documentary GV2
that there's much more to the Graffiti Art Movement than at first glance.
Flying high above Los Angeles in a "ghetto bird," GV2
starts out by looking down on our streets, seeking out those artists who
ply their incendiary craft on the walls of our cities while we sleep.
Graffiti Verite'
is now Available on 
The
GRAFFITI VERITE' DOCUMENTARIES SeriesVolumes 1 - 5
