American Genre Film Archive

Wildwood, NJ

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This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Presented in partnership with Something Weird Video...

The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) represents the world's largest theatrical catalog of exploitation cinema. Their home video line presents a diverse selection of movies, ranging from new preservations of classics from the vast library of Something Weird to the wildest in shot-on-video (SOV) titles. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!

Everyone needs more Wildwood, NJ in their lives. Shot on dreamy Super 8 film by directors Ruth Leitman and Carol Weaks Cassidy with an all-women crew, this documentary shines a light on the lives of women from Wildwood, New Jersey—the last great American carnival town. From go-go dancers to girls who work as vampires in the boardwalk haunted house, the film moves beyond big hair and press-on nails to look into the souls of women raised on the boardwalk's rides, neon lights, and beaches. It’s easy to see why Lana Del Rey included footage from the movie in her "Diet Mountain Dew" music video. Plus: this release also includes found media sensation Girls at the Carnival and cinéma vérité wonder Mall City—two films that feel like spiritual cousins to our friends in Wildwood.

directed by: Ruth Leitman, Carol Weaks Cassidy
starring: various
1994 / 59 min / 1.33:1 / English DTS-HD MA 1.0

Additional info:

Region Free Blu-ray
Preserved from the original DigiBeta tape master
Commentary with co-director Ruth Leitman, moderated by Lauren Servideo
GIRLS AT THE CARNIVAL (1998, 23 mins.), a found VHS tape that was filmed in Ohio
GIRLS AT THE CARNIVAL: Commentary with Derek Erdman, who found the tape, and Phil Hootman, who appears in the video
MALL CITY (1983, dir. Hugh Kinniburgh, 48 mins.), a document of 1980s mall culture that was filmed at Long Island’s Roosevelt Field Mall
English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.7027025 / 5 from 74 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Wildwood, NJ is a documentary capturing the lives of women in Wildwood, New Jersey, the last great American carnival town. Filmed on Super 8 by directors Ruth Leitman and Carol Weaks Cassidy, the film offers a nostalgic look into the souls of women raised on the boardwalk's rides, neon lights, and beaches. This special limited edition release includes two additional films, Girls at the Carnival and Mall City, providing a comprehensive view of American culture.

Summary topics

Documentary Quality: 13%
Nostalgic Regional Documentary: 20%

Review topics: ["looks","packaging","documentary","film","doc","capsule","release","extras","disc","portrayal","features","agfa","slipcover","place","girls","watch","director","treatment","movie","transfer","women"].

Review highlights

"A fantastic time capsule with some great extras including a mall documentary filmed in LI." — Jared L.
"Great little time capsule" — Kev B.
"A fantastic documentary that serves as a time capsule of the mid 90s!" — Paul H.

Reviews

AGFA

"AGFA never ceases to amaze with these little slice of life releases. Brings me back to a time that isn't around anymore. Gonna be down the shore this summer and Wildwood is always a trip."

— Tony Z. (5/5)

Mumblecore doc

"A documentary capturing everyday New Jerseyans in the early 1990s, featuring mostly young people speaking candidly about daily life. The film lacks a clear narrative or purpose beyond letting people talk about life. While it offers some nostalgic appeal, it didn't deliver the blast-from-the-past I was hoping for."

— Noel H. (3/5)

Entertaining Time Capsule

"Wildwood, NJ is a nostalgic, slice-of-life indie that captures the feeling of a summer down the shore with an easygoing charm. The film leans into small moments and local color, giving it a grounded, almost home-movie authenticity. It’s a low-key watch, but its warmth and sense of place make it quietly enjoyable. Great bonus features!"

— Shawn M. (5/5)

Top Notch AGFA

"A really special release. The main feature is engrossing with unique ladies being interviewed. Some of them making decisions that will change their entire lives. They mention travesty nonchalantly. In 35 years, very little has changed on the Jersey Shore. One of the bonus features centers around a mall in the early 80's. This is also outstanding."

— Alex B. (5/5)

Great Documentary

"Having grown up in the 90s, this film makes me feel all warm inside. The extras that are included are just as good. Definitely worth picking up."

— Shane R. (5/5)

I want to live in Wildwood

"This movie is an amazing time capsule of a very particular place and time. I appreciated the way the director was able to get the people interviewed to open up about personal topics. The extra short films included were fun as well. As a kid who grew up in the 80's and 90's everything here hit home. Definitely order this one!"

— shane r. (5/5)

I loved this release from

"I loved this release from AGFA, it was so out of left field. Just people you want to hang out with in Girls At The Carnival, just shot on beautiful Super 8. Mall City is my favorite though, I love old school mall culture and some of the interviews were way off the wall. It definitely captures a time and place. Two great features."

— Bryan K. (5/5)

The best kind of doc!

"Although I had no idea it was in the works, I’ve been waiting for this! I don’t like most docs, but this is the kinda doc that I love! Feels real cause it is. Including Girls At The Carnival is a real treat too! Love the slip cover for this one."

— Scott W. (5/5)

Time Capsule

"Very fun time capsule film. Super nostalgic. Highly recommended."

— Jeffrey L. (5/5)

Incredible documentary

"Bonus doc is also amazing. Really cool time capsule."

— John D. (5/5)