Groundbreaking for its use of popular music in lieu of a traditional score, AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) was co-written and directed by AFI Life Achievement Award honoree George Lucas – based largely on his own experiences in Modesto, CA – and also features a breakout early role for AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Harrison Ford. Legendary cinematographer – and AFI Honorary Degree recipient – Haskell Wexler served as a visual consultant on the film.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about AMERICAN GRAFFITI.
Modesto Video Surveillance Techs
I think the AFI Movie Club’s spotlight on American Graffiti offers a lovely reminder of why the film endures as both a cultural touchstone and a deeply personal work: by highlighting how George Lucas drew on his own youth to craft a story that feels authentic and evocative, and by noting its innovative use of popular music in place of a traditional score, AFI invites today’s audiences to rediscover its rhythms and textures in a new light. American Graffiti doesn’t just document a moment in time—it captures the universal feeling of being on the cusp of adulthood, with all the uncertainty, excitement, and nostalgia that entails—and positioning it within the Movie Club context underscores its significance not only as a beloved classic but as a film that continues to inspire conversations about filmmaking, memory, and cultural history.