Liberty Square, Miami–a place where generations of people have survived. Liberty Square, Miami–a place on the verge of gentrification. As families who are in desperate need of affordable housing look to the future and see continued poverty and fewer and fewer opportunities, they choose to fight for their livelihoods. Razing Liberty Square tells the story of these families as they fight for what they believe is right in an ever changing reality.
It appears that Razing Liberty Square is meant to be groundbreaking, that it’s meant to, to some degree, separate itself from the thousands of other films (both narrative and documentary) that have covered the topic of gentrification and racial inequality in the United States. Now, I’m not saying there isn’t a problem, and I”m not saying that there is a problem–really I’m not saying anything at all in regard to the content of this documentary. What I am trying to express, however, is that this has been done before. There’s no reason why the Liberty Square debacle should be left in the dark, but it comes at a time when the same old song and dance has made its way to the forefront of the film industry for years, and it’s becoming redundant. Razing Liberty Square doesn’t do anything unique, it doesn’t do anything to separate itself–and the same story plays out like it has so many times before.
The mix of interviewees, however, does something to bolster the film (to a degree). Some of the subjects being interviewed are infuriating (and I know that this is completely a matter of opinion), and this steals from the film. In these moments, as certain individuals spoke on camera, I felt compelled to look away, frustrated by the vernacular and the (seemingly) lack of emotion. The subject matter is serious, there’s no question about that–but some fail to bring a certain level of emotion, one that is capable of accurately conveying the severity of Razing Liberty Square. Others (particularly a duo of lovely ladies that are bursting with emotion) are far more interesting to watch and listen to. They are fun, energetic, and honest in their expression of what is occurring before and around them–and their time on screen is the most entertaining by far.
What Razing Liberty Square does to keep its head above water, to tilt the scales in its favor, is to develop a wide-ranging understanding of the project and all that went into it; and beyond that it’s capable of expressing camaraderie in a way that resonates with viewers. This isn’t necessarily a new technique, but it works nonetheless. This appeals to the emotions of viewers, and this allows the film to become more powerful–effectively reaching viewers along the way, and finding ways to really showcase the entirety of the film’s subject matter.
It’s what we’ve all seen before thousands of times; it’s redundant to a degree, and this aspect of Razing Liberty Square is frustrating. The film redeems itself, however, as it manages to showcase the entire scope of the Liberty Square project–and that’s inviting, eye-opening, and entertaining. Razing Liberty Square certainly isn’t different, but it most certainly does find ways to entertain along the way.
Directed by Katja Esson.
Starring Samantha Quarterman, Valencia Gunder, Aaron McKinney, Sam Kenly, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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