The film chronicles an extraordinary epoch of youthful creativity and civic controversy. Teenage graffiti artists made New York City's ramshackle subway system their public playground, battleground, and spectacular artist canvas. Opposing them were Mayor Ed Koch, the police, and the Transit Authority. As MC's and DJs rocked the city with new sounds, street corner B-boy breakdance battles became performance art. The phrase "New York 1982"(the superimposed title that starts the film) has itself become a code for a legendary time of heroic teenage exploits, a touchstone for successive generations of youth worldwide, many of whom can recite the film's dialogue by hearts

"One of the greatest documentaries ever made" Alexander Alland, Professor of Anthropology Columbia University "Practically every question addressed by scholars in the arts - folk, popular and high style - is raised at some point in this film and discussed in considerable detail" Nora Groce, American Anthropologist "A breakthrough documentary" A.O. Scott The New York Times "Groundbreaking and nearly perfect. It's the kids themselves who speak most eloquently to their work" Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
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