Footage of Tribeca in the 1970s

Marc pointed out that News from Home was removed from YouTube, so here it is on Hulu (and embedded above). Chantal Akerman’s 1976 (or 1977?) film is not for everyone: While I imagine it’s far more powerful on a big screen, with the real world blocked out, distractions can get the better of it on a small screen. For Tribecans, the appeal is less likely to be the juxtaposition of Akerman’s imagery and her mother’s letters than the time-capsule element. I made a bunch of screengrabs—some locations I recognize from around here, and others are guesses—but they’re not nearly as evocative as watching the scenery unfold in real time. P.S. Jennifer Kotter said on Facebook that cinematographer Babette Mangolte lived in Tribeca. P.P.S. Akerman filmed a lot on the subway, which is less interesting than the streets. But I included the guy below because I couldn’t resist.

News from Home screengrab0News from Home screengrabNews from Home Screengrab9 News from Home screengrab10News from Home screengrab1News from Home screengrab2 News from Home screengrab11 News from Home screengrab3News from Home screengrab5 News from Home screengrab6New from Home screengrab7News from Home screengrab8

 

3 Comments

  1. First is Staple
    Second is Laight looking West towards Greenwich
    Third is Washington Street looking north towards Vestry
    Fourth is Collister Street looking south (between Vestry / Hubert)
    Fifth is Greenwich looking north towards Vestry
    Seventh is Harrison looking east towards Hudson and Puffys (I think)

    Great pics!

  2. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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