In Jackson Heights
by Mary Nyiri

Director: Frederick Wiseman,  USA

Documentary

Just a thirty minute train ride from mid-town Manhattan is Jackson Heights,  Queens. Driving through on Roosevelt Avenue you wouldn’t necessarily think this  area was worthy of a three hour long documentary film. But director Frederick  Wiseman fully engages the audience by his intimate participation in the  community. He films LGBT meetings at the Synagogue, listens in on Latino small  shop owners organizing against a big business takeover of their premises, walks  the street markets, hangs out for coffee with some plucky seniors, catches  meetings with the popular local councilman, and truly highlights the cultural,  racial and ethnic diversity of the neighborhood. There are 167 languages spoken  here with residents from every country in the Americas as well as Bangladesh,  Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and China. The people who live here are passionate  about being a part of Jackson Heights. Now real estate investors want to kick  out the small businesses, raise rents beyond the means of most residents, and  build luxury condos and apartments for NYC commuters, completely changing the  face of the community. A delicious slice of American pie!