The world of graffiti was first showcased to mainstream America in 1983 when PBS first-aired the critically acclaimed documentary Style Wars. Style Wars was for some their first introduction into street life and urban activities including rapping, DJing, and break dancing. But the monotone narrations by Tony Silver gave Style Wars the same tone and vibe that a documentary on the mating habits of cheetahs would have (the only thing saving SW was the banging soundtrack.) Point being, a viewer of style wars was stimulated mentally but not necessarily emotionally.

Fast Forward 23 years later and cue in Doug Pray. Hopefully y’all know Mr. Pray from his magnificent documentary on the DJ entitled Scratch (If you have not seen Scratch please stop reading this immediately and head to your local Best Buy, Blockbuster, Netflix, or what have you.) Scratch has gone down as one of the most important movies to come out about hip hop this millennium. And Doug is hoping he can trap lighting in a bottle.

Doug Pray has recently finished his new feature length motion picture, Infamy. Infamy travels deep into the frail and tormented minds of seven graffiti artist all across the US. But by no mean is Infamy a history of graffiti. “I didn’t want to make another ‘scene-movie’ or a general overview of subculture and its history. Instead, we’ve set out to create a more hard-hitting, personal portrayal of the pain and joy of being addicted to the only illegal art form there is,” stated Pray.

Infamy explores aspects of graffiti that even the counter-culture itself fails to think about. EARSNOT, a homosexual male, discusses the hardships he has gone through in an art tradition that has been openly homophobic. CLAW, a Queen’s native, has been one of the top females in the graffiti game. She states, “Being a woman and writing graffiti is more an equality issue—trying to fit into a man’s world. It’s great that women feel they can be a part of this culture. That’s the way it should be.” What better subject is there for a film than people who despise video cameras? I rest my point.

Infamy will premier at the RESfest in NYC next month. It will then go on to 35 screens across the world.

MaimZ