In case you haven't seen it, the 2005 documentary "Bowery Dish," which chronicles the Bowery's transformation from skid row to high-end restaurant row, airs tonight at 10 on Channel 13/WNET.
The director, Kevin R. Frech, is a 20-plus year resident of the East Village. He filmed between 1999-2004, after noticing that more restaurants were popping up on the Bowery. He wanted to document the changes.
The film debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and later aired on the Sundance Channel.
With the arrival of even bigger bold-face-named restaurateurs such as Keith McNally (Pulino's then Cherche Midi) and Daniel Boulud (DBGB), we asked Frech about what has transpired on the Bowery since the film's release.
Did you ever anticipate that the Bowery would continue to transform to such a degree as it has in 2014? Seems like a sequel is in order!
Yes, I really want to make a sequel — follow some of the camera angles from the original to show what dramatic changes have happened lately. When I set out to make the film, I could see the street was about to undergo radical change, but I was amazed at how fast it happened.
While I knew it would continue after the film was completed, I had no idea how much further it would go. Keith McNally, the New Museum, all of the high-rises and galleries. Meanwhile the flophouses are mostly gone, the Salvation Army is gone, and only the Bowery Mission remains from the rougher days of the old Bowery.
There are several sro's still on the Bowery. The Mission is far from the only place remaining to attend to men in need.
ReplyDeleteThis guy is so wrong, and the last thing the Bowery needs is a film about restaurants. Please leave the Bowery alone. You're only drawing attention that invites further speculation and real estate investment properties.
A sequel is the worst thing this guy could do. 2nd only to making a film in the first place. Go away!
I wish he'd do a film about the Bowery Mission or at least film all the drunk guys outside waiting for dinner. Maybe that would lead to less gentrification. Maybe remind them that this is still the Bowery. Is the White House hotel still open? is the Sunshine Hotel still open?
ReplyDeleteMore SRO type housing is needed not swanky dbag hotels.
Have you sen the film? It is pretty even handed. Also what SRO's are still hanging on. Bowery Resident's Committee houses some above Varvatos (old CB's). But that's not an SRO, it is a shelter type situation. Same with Bowery Mission.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of all the yuppies on the Bowery now but I am also not a fan of tossing people with problems into SROs. There are a lot of severely mentally ill and addicted people on that stretch not getting real help. They are being warehoused in special housing so we can all feel good about what a great society we are!
ReplyDeleteYes and they legally cannot be forced into housing or a program. This is not as simple as some think. If they dont want the help they remain in their circumstances and their are plenty of advocates and lawyers to help them. SROs are a good start for mentally ill who- many times can't handle dorm type shelters. This is way more complicated than most realize. There are no easy solutions.
ReplyDelete