City People

I had no idea what to expect. I figured this was a most interesting quarter, which is why so many dread this place. I just felt I needed to have an emotional approach, give music importance, heed pictures and make sure we could improvise. I knew I wanted to go against stereotypes. I hoped the place would seem cozier after the film. I was tired of just filming wretched, underprivileged, subjugated, annulled people over and over again. I went for serenity, beauty and energy in the 8th District. And there they were – they came to play music under an October sun, during the evening, on the roofs, in the street and in all kinds of apartments, wherever they could. The jazz drummer guy, the pianist and others: they came with violins, wheel-barrows, dogs and legends. They sang, told stories, and we just walked, walked and walked along for a few days. Now they recognize me when I drop by: the Chinese food vendor, the florist, the girls from the blocks. I should come back later. There is still so much left from that one week we spent together. One sentence is missing from the picture: “I hope it will be better in Brooklyn and in the 8th District, too.”