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The Battle for Brooklyn

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    1. booklaw
      booklaw

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      I have no connection of any sort with this film or the filmmakers. I mention that up front because what follows is a rave review of the film, which I saw tonight at the IFC theater in Manhattan.

      Before I forget, I should mention that the film's website says it is screening Wednesday (tomorrow) night at 7:00 pm at the Ethical Culture center in Park Slope. Anyone who is interested should see the film and then hurry over to Sharlene's for Festivus.

      The film juxtaposes the personal travails of Daniel Goldstein, the guy who founded Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn and who stubbornly refused to sell his apartment to Forest City Ratner (even living alone in a deserted building for two years after Ratner bought out all of the other residents), against the larger legal and political efforts to derail the Atlantic Yards project.

      It is a powerful and moving film, albeit a bit depressing since we all know it did not end well.

      See this film. Learn about the disproportionate power of New York's biggest real estate developers, and about the juggernauts they can create when they garner the support of the Mayor of New York City. See how Marty Markowitz and even Senator Schumer become uncritical cheerleaders for evil projects when empty promises of jobs and tax revenues are made. See how loudly trumpeted promises are broken without embarrassment and without penalty.

      Kinda makes you (not) proud to be an American!

    2. bill c
      bill c

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      yes, it's really an excellent, well- made documentary. now short- listed for oscar nominations.

    3. User has not uploaded an avatar
      PragmaticGuy

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      As Spock said..."the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one." I guess basketball fans and tax dollars are worth more than a few people who get transplanted against their will. Aaah, nothing like a good eminent domain case I always say.

    4. mamacita
      Mamacita

      Stuck in the middle with you
      Joined: Dec '06
      Posts: 9,491

      It can be argued (and it has)that the needs of the many in this case equal the needs of a very few billionaires, Ratner being one.

      (\__/)
      (=’.'=)
      (”)_(”)
    5. bill c
      bill c

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      the film does not focus so much on the issue of eminent domain use but does discuss the question of public benefit v. private gain at great length.

    6. stacey
      stacey

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    7. brooklynian
      brooklynian

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      This just played last night at the Big Sky Film Fest:

      Battle For Brooklyn
      Suki Hawley & Michael Galinsky, 2011, USA, 93 minutes,

      Screening - Wilma 2, Sunday February 26 @ 5:00 pm
      The story of reluctant activist Daniel Goldstein as he struggles to save his home and community from being demolished to make way for a professional basketball arena and the densest real estate development in U.S. history.

      Strand - Feature Competition, American Spectrum


      http://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/bsdff/festival/films/battle_for_brooklyn


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