A Hole in a Fence

By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 11/24/2008

FIRST RUN
Street: Dec. 9
Prebook: now
> Flavorful curio about a ‘hidden’ patch of urban landscape in Brooklyn.

Concerning a slice of concrete-covered land that lurks behind a fence in the decaying section of Brooklyn, New York’s Red Hook neighborhood, A Hole in a Fence tells a big story in its relatively short running time. A patch where the down-on-their-luck congregate, graffiti artists and photographers get some practice and architects conceive sheltered living spaces for the homeless, this Red Hook community is examined by director D.W. Young in terms of its development and the effect that it’s having on the area’s identity. Environmentalists, artists and locals provide their opinions on the encroaching gentrification of the area (an IKEA superstore just opened there last year), insisting that there is much more going on in this tiny area of Red Hook than just its metal-and-cement texture.

Shelf Talk: There isn’t much of an extended market for short documentaries, and it’s doubtful that this Hole will make much of an impact beyond New Yorkers (Brooklynites, in particular) and those with an interest in urban environmentalism. It might be a good title to offer as a free (or substantially price-reduced) rental piece a la a local PSA.

Documentary, color, NR (some mature themes), 46 min., DVD $19.95
Extras: bonus short film, extended interviews
Director: D.W. Young
First Run: DVD premiere