Paradise Acres Prods. presentation. Produced by Josh Pais. Executive
producer, Catherine Scheinman. Directed, written by Josh Pais.
By SCOTT FOUNDAS
VARIETY V FILM REVIEW
Link to review
Actor-turned-director Josh Pais has lived most of his life on the
stretch of 7th Street that runs between Avenues C and D in the East
Village. And he has turned that experience into a deeply personal and
affecting documentary film that's a powerful statement for preserving
neighborhood identity at a time when New York neighborhoods threaten to
surrender to gentrification. Sure to land a theatrical run in Gotham,
pic seems likeliest to pop up on the small screen in other parts of the
country.
"7th Street" isn't a rallying cry against redevelopment per se, but
rather an objective look at the pros and cons of the Giuliani/Starbucks
era. Pais sets out only to chronicle the denizens of his neighborhood,
as a tribute to what used to be called "local color." Along the way,
circumstances begin to change, and Pais allows the film to evolve with
them, so that what he ends up with is a quiet lament on the way we have
come to fear, rather than love and embrace, our neighbors -- something
that might make for a fine double-bill with "Bowling for Columbine."
Camera (color, video) Elia Lassy, Pais; editor, Linda Hattendorf; music,
Marty Beller. Reviewed on videocassette, L.A., Nov. 16, 2002. (In AFI
Film Festival -- competing.) Running time: 71 MIN.
UPCOMING SCREENINGS:
The movie will begin its theatrical run beginning:
JANUARY 17TH, 2003
at CINEMA VILLAGE 22 EAST 12TH STREET
- just West of University. 212-924-3363.
We encourage you to come the first week it plays
in order to assure a long run.
email: info@7thstreetmovie.com
