Ben Garchar’s short film, Neighborhood, is a work of art. One looks at a painting as it evokes the artist’s emotions and even makes a statement using contrasting images rather than telling a narrative story as many short films do.
Neighborhood sums up Garchar’s feelings about his time spent in Bushwick, New York. He presents his three subjects. Pucho is a pigeon keeper, who tends to his pen on his apartment roof—a place of solace. Lindsay is a webcam girl, who specializes in cake sitting, i.e., smashing cakes with her posterior, as a way of connecting with others. Gabino is an older gentleman who is haunted by actual ghosts in his apartment.
“…the lives of long-time New Yorkers contrasted with the harsh realities of gentrification…”
Pigeon keeper, cake sitter, and the haunted represent the lives of long-time New Yorkers contrasted with the harsh realities of the gentrification of Bushwick. Garchar’s film gives warning to an oncoming storm and a reality that yet has no answers.
Garchar’s film presents the impending future of Bushwich and, like art, asks a question by making a visual statement. His questions come in the form of beautifully composed shots portraying solitude, security, and uncertainty.
"…specializes in cake sitting, i.e., smashing cakes with her posterior..."
