Canarsie, Brooklyn is a small, working-class section of New York City. It’s home to more than one-hundred-thousand people, all of whom have suffered, in one way or another, at the hands of Hurricane Sandy. Here they are, years later, without answers from their government–and they believe it’s time to make some change. By Way of Canarsie sees the residents of Canarsie come together to make change for their people, to ensure that they are given the same opportunities as everyone else.
There are absolutely no frills present in By Way of Canarsie. Nothing spectacular happens; it’s just a documentary about a group of people that love where they’re from, and they will stop at nothing to ensure that it gets back to the state in which it belongs. The short documentary is heartfelt, and it’s ultimately a story of camaraderie that I believe most viewers will be able to appreciate. Viewers aren’t really given the opportunity to dive into the emotions of those present in the film, and they are tasked with understanding the plights of those involved simply through their actions. I believe that Directors Lesley Steele and Emily Packer showcase the right moments in this journey to ensure that even though we don’t always get up close and personal, we can appreciate these individuals and develop an emotional connection with them.
Steele and Packer take us to the streets, streets that we are more than likely not familiar with. Even if you’ve been to New York and walked the busy streets of Manhattan, Canarsie is likely a place that you’ve never visited. It lacks entertainment and just about everything else needed to bring people in–and that’s part of the problem. What By Way of Canarsie does is ensure that viewers see the individuals showcased throughout in their natural habitat, so to speak. The documentary doesn’t always take place in an office building or during a public forum–we see individuals walking the streets, trying to make a difference at every level. There’s nothing luxurious about what is being depicted here, and everyone present in this film wants to ensure that viewers understand this process. By Way of Canarsie showcases the truth, not a fabricated, more accessible version of it.
There’s a ton of information shoved into this short film, more information than should probably make its way into a film of this length. Yet, these directors want to make sure that everything finds its way into the light. Viewers are given a handful of individuals to follow, and they all play a role in delivering information to viewers. By not forcing one person to present viewers with all of the information, and by delegating throughout By Way of Canarsie, viewers are given a better opportunity to absorb the information–but it also allows us to better understand the importance of all that is being said and done as well.
Again, there isn’t anything special about By Way of Canarsie, but that seems to be the best possible decision considering the simplicity of what is being said and done throughout. We are given first-hand accounts of all that has transpired in Canarsie since the devastating Sandy, and we are able to appreciate everything as a result. Through simplicity and honesty, By Way of Canarsie delivers at every turn.
Directed by Lesley Steele & Emily Packer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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