Intersection

Director Statement

There is a cacophony of sound that is both lively and confusing: the subway roaring overhead, vendors hawking their wares, and mopeds speeding through as commuters cross the street. The rich sensory experience of the intersection made it clear that we could not rely on traditional formats to capture and convey the experience of the intersection. We embraced our experience in other creative mediums such as painting and dance and followed our intuition to experiment with varied editing techniques. By pairing experimental visuals with a layered soundscape, we structured the film to be both experiential and sensorial so that viewers, too, could experience the intersection.

As we delved deeper into production, we discovered a darker reality: public buses had been involved in the fatalities of three individuals. In response, community members organized for safer streets and some changes were incorporated. However, despite the attempts at safety improvements by the City, the community continues to suffer from neglect and underfunding; accidents still occur and residents continue to be at risk. Through this film, we wanted to highlight the chronic resource disparities that affect underrepresented communities in New York City.