Wholetrain. 2006. Written and directed by Florian Gaag. With Mike Adler, Florian Renner, Elvas M’Barek, and Jacob Matschenz. 89 min. In German with English subtitles. The screening of Wholetrain will be followed by a conversation between director Florian Gaag and graffiti writer Pure TFP.

With his fantastic cinema debut WHOLETRAIN Florian Gaag tells the story of a crew of four “writers” – David, Tino, Elyas und Achim – who observe the hierarchies, the values, the rules and the codes of the graffiti scene. Night after night they make off for the subway stations of the city, intent on leaving opulent images behind. But as another crew appears on the scene, and the four feel challenged, a creative battle ensues, one that will change the lives of these young people forever.

WHOLETRAIN is an exciting and emotionally gripping drama, one that explores for the first time the secret universe of the graffiti scene. The protagonists exist in a breathless state, suspended somewhere between two worlds: their day to day life, and their existence within the crew. Florian Gaag manages to recount a tale coloured by tension and aggression. The result is a many-sided portrait of characters whose world has never been documented in this way before. Their subculture remains authentic and realistic. Edgy editing and grandiloquent camerawork, a pulsating soundtrack and an excellent ensemble of actors, make WHOLETRAIN a film experience not to be missed.

The soundtrack was written and produced by Florian Gaag, who worked with legendary figures like Hip Hop greats KRS-One, Freddie Foxxx, O.C., Planet Asia, Afu-Ra, Grand Agent, Tame One, Akrobatik and El Da Sensei. Florian Gaag also collaborated with internationally renowned graffiti writers Neon, Won, Cemnoz, Pure and Ciel to create artwork for the film.

Wholetrain

Film Screening + Conversation

Tuesday, February 16^th, 2010, 7:00pm

Goethe-Institut Wyoming Building

5 East 3^rd Street (at Bowery)

New York, NY 10003

Tel.: +1 (212) 439-8700

Closest Subway: 6 at Bleecker Street

Admission is free, no reservations required.

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