Subject: So. Studies/Sciences: Geography/Cultures

Life in a Great City Series

New York - Level 1

"Recommended. Starting with street scenes at 7:00 a.m. and finishing the next day at 4:00 a.m., the director has captured the vibrancy of this great city. We see a wide range of human expression, as well as great aerial shots of the city. We go from boxer training, to Wall Street, to the subway, to the Guggenheim Museum, Katz's Deli, Central Park, the classic Hotel Chelsea, the Soho district for a dance rehearsal, to Harlem with its rich African American culture; then to Times Square, Chinatown, and the Fulton Fish Market. The contrasting images of wealthy and poor neighborhoods and the people who live and work here give the viewer a sense of the rich diversity of this wonderful city. The sound and video quality are excellent offering viewers a rich kaleidoscope of colorful images." -EMRO Review
People may think they know New York, but the "city that never sleeps" is constantly reinventing itself. Amid the unrelenting noise and flashing lights, there is always something new and extraordinary to discover. Around every corner is a slice of street theater in which chaos and eccentricity take center stage by turn. For many years, the city had a reputation for crime, corruption, and pollution; however, those days are gone and New York has a new look. There are a few classic images frozen in time, such as Central Park and its joggers, but the town of Manhattan evolves with every season and with every passing fad. Some establishments have come to symbolize the New York way of life, such as the Royalton on West 44th Street, hangout of editors and designers, and the Café Gitane, one of the most happening haunts in the city. For Upper East Side society, lounges are now all the rage: for music, reading, or poetry. Most representative of this trend is Woody Allen, who gives private concerts at the Carlyle on Monday nights. For the past few years the entire city has been undergoing a radical transformation. Every district is experiencing its own revolution. Often outrageously arrogant and over the top, the city can be unassuming as well. Such out-of-the-way spots are less well known but equally authentic. New York is a variety of styles, demeanors, and fashions that touch the heart of every visitor. Love it or hate it, this exciting metropolis leaves no one indifferent. 07DR IJSCA 30 min.
Note: An unedited version, New York, is available.
Also See: The Statue of Liberty: Building a Colossus; New York City