I'm not really sure about where, when, or how you can see this doc/film about the L.E.S (through Clayton Patterson's lense - and forever girlfriend Elsa, premiered tonight @ the Pioneer Theatre) directed by bearded wonder Ben Solomon and Dan (sorry dude, I completely blanked on yer last name) - a Ben vs Dan creation, but if you get the opportunity (especially if you're a NYer and think you know some shit about the LES) then seriously, do it. I thought I knew some shit about how "rough" it once was over there, forget it man! In this flick you see the real grimy deal, a mini world (well not that small) infested with drugs, poverty, greif, creativity and craze, a no cops allowed (although the fuckers put down their doughnuts and try to rumble shit up), no laws, no rules land where staying alive means either not shooting bad dope, being local, or not crossing the path of a hungry junkie. The now condos built for the rich hipsters by the rich white politicians used to be blocks and blocks of abandoned houses, home of the "free" people, squaters and druggies and anyone who was out of the ordinary. Everyone's talking about the old New York, "the good ol' days" - well these are them on tape. When the doc is over you cant help but think "New York is fucked", but I believe its projects like this that help revive the positive enegry that the city is hiding and preserving. No one's doing a fucking thing about it! This brings a whole larger picture to the table. It's not just about keeping alive the novel and interesting culture that one grew out of the cracks of Lower East Side sidewalks, those are gone now, we have to try and fight for today and the future, NYC isnt just the LES, its a huge place, and the changes are everywhere. My childhood apartment in Brooklyn is being torn the fuck down in a year so that some rich assholes can keep raping my hood, my memories, my landmarks, my family, and myself. See what this movie did to me? See it! CONGRATS BEN AND DAN, YOU GUYS DID IT!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification
Gentrification, or urban gentrification, is a phenomenon in which low-cost, physically deteriorated neighborhoods undergo physical renovation and an increase in property values, along with an influx of wealthier residents who may displace the prior residents.
So the question is, where are all the poor people going and under what conditions? Is this a social ticking time bomb?
PS: Is Coney Island still alive?
yes the culture is authentic, and has been key in its influence but i'm pretty sure i prefer shitty white hipsters to shitty drug dealers and psychotic crackheads, if they designed some decent buildings it wouldnt be so bad.. across the street from my job.. on norman ave at (i think) north henry, is one of the only new buildings i think i like
