Better known for his comedic work directing Saturday Night Live, in 1979, director Gary Weis infiltrated two brutal young gangs in the Bronx to film 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s. This fall, the previously unavailable film is now out on DVD, in a package that also includes the 40-page Esquire article by Jon Savage that inspired it.
Originally shot to fill one of SNL’s weekly time slots on NBC, the documentary, which was ultimately deemed too controversial to air, examines street culture before hip-hop blossomed, at the fomentation of breakdancing and graffiti. Members of the Savage Nomads and the Savage Skulls give frank testament to the harsh reality of life in the South Bronx: their crimes, families, communities, and cops.
Visit the film’s website, find the film on Facebook, read a NY Times review, and learn more about the Savage Nomads.
The official trailer
Still from 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s
Still from 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s
Still from 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s
Still from 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s
Still from 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s
Still from 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s
80 Blocks from Tiffany’s intro