When an established community (and its associated culture) begins to disappear, its constituents (particularly those who come from an immigrant background) start to experience a palpable sense of passing into oblivion. At the same time, though, some of the residents of those neighborhoods are faced with the dilemma of having to ask themselves, “Am I part of the loss or part of its cause? And, in either case, how do I deal with the outcome and my role in it?” Such is the case for Xavier (Atibon Nazaire), a structural demolition worker who resides in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood with his wife, Esperance (Sheila Anozier), and his adult son, Xavier Jr. (Chris Renois). The community is rapidly and aggressively becoming gentrified with each building that’s being bought up and hastily torn down to make room for new development. Xavier relishes the good money he’s making from a job whose impact he either can’t or won’t acknowledge, even when he sees the consequences of what comes from it all around him, his immediate and extended family, and the friends, neighbors and fellow countrymen of this long-settled immigrant community. It ultimately gives him pause to reflect on his past and to give thought to his future and that of subsequent generations of his people. Writer-director Monica Sorelle’s debut feature quietly yet powerfully tells a story typical of many urban neighborhoods and the effects such transformations have on the local culture, shown here through a vibrant panorama of sights, sounds, music and colors, as well as the emotions of those who live in these areas. Their expressions of hope, joy, disappointment and regret are poignantly displayed through simple gestures, revealing facial expressions and telling body language, speaking volumes often without saying a word. While the picture can at times feel a little too “slice of life” for its own good (and leaving viewers wondering where the story may be headed), it ultimately conveys its messages through its fine performances, gorgeous cinematography and skillful film editing. As the nominee of two 2023 Independent Spirit Awards (including a win for the director in the competition’s “Someone To Watch” Award category), as well as numerous film festival award victories and nominations, “Mountains” is an impressive start for a filmmaker who clearly has much to say and a knack for knowing how to effectively say it, especially when it comes to speaking for those who may not have a readily accessible voice of their own.
An ex-con returns to his rural Ontario roots and outwits a corrupt and wealthy thoroughbred owner trying to take over a slew of local farms. Ray Dokes, a charming ex-ballplayer, returns from jail to discover the rural landscape of his childhood transformed by urban development. Determined to stay out of trouble, Ray heads to the farm of his old friend Pete Culpepper, a crusty Texas cowboy who trains losing racehorses and whose debts are growing faster than his corn.
A young boy who had been abandoned as a child and raised by wild dogs is taken to a university where a team attempts to teach him civilized behavior.
A dark, surreal comedy about a local man who becomes convinced that a vast conspiracy is behind the impossibly rapid gentrification in his London area. But is it all in his head, or is the truth even darker than he imagines? Cla'am is the debut short from Nathaniel Martello-White, one of the UK's leading young playwrights.
Undine is a historian and tour guide at the Berlin City Museum specializing in urban development, while Christoph is an industrial diver. Linked by a love of the water, the two form an intense bond, which can only do so much to help Undine overcome the considerable baggage of her former affair.
Accompanied by a lilting soundtrack, characters wander through London's concrete jungle as the narrator reflects on the current state of the city and her imagined future.
The continuing adventures of the barbers at Calvin's Barbershop. Gina, a stylist at the beauty shop next door, is now trying to cut in on his business. Calvin is again struggling to keep his father's shop and traditions alive-this time against urban developers looking to replace mom & pop establishments with name-brand chains. The world changes, but some things never go out of style-from current events and politics to relationships and love, you can still say anything you want at the barbershop.
A short film about the changing face of London Soho and the implications of gentrification on Mimi, an aging transvestite.
After moving to a small mountain community, a troubled writer entangles himself in a new neighbor's abusive family situation.
When a Developer comes to a small town looking at a specific piece of land the locals try to warn him off because that particular piece of land is known to them as The Dead River. They tell the story of the Bates Family who in 1852 were cut off from society by the Great Flood. With this the family became incestious from lack of socialization and even cannibalistic. Well the Developer doesn't believe the locals and decides to survey the land anyways and finds himself in a world of trouble.
Jimmie Fails dreams of reclaiming the Victorian home his grandfather built in the heart of San Francisco. Joined on his quest by his best friend Mont, Jimmie searches for belonging in a rapidly changing city that seems to have left them behind.