Welcome to New York

Colour, DIGIBETA
USA, 2006, 66 min
Section: Documentary Films in Competition

Synopsis

In this inventive documentary etude, the two Chilean directors offer a highly specific view of the “Big Apple” or “Capital of the World”, as New York is sometimes known. Thanks to the strong powers of observation of these exceptionally talented filmmakers, and their sense of detail which captures the integral picture, we are witness to tragicomic mini-stories unfolding across entire social and ethnic groups. The discreet yet obstinate lens pans past fashion castings, political discussions, pet cemeteries, religious communities and techno parties. This is all New York, here framed by the presidential election campaign of 2004. This original invitation to the most charismatic city of the modern world prompts reflection on both the animal side to man and the human dimensions of a pulsating metropolis.

About the director

Bettina Perut (b. 1970, Rome) studied journalism at the Universidad Gabriela Mistral in Santiago de Chile. During the years 1996–1997 she worked as an assistant director on the documentary series Visiones.

Iván Osnovikoff (b. 1966, Puerto Montt, Chile) studied anthropology at the Universidad Austral de Chile. In the years 1996–1998 he co-wrote the scripts for films by Chilean director Silvio Caiozzi. The pair debuted together in 2000 with the feature-length documentary Chi-chi-chi Le-le-le Martín Vargas of Chile, about a boxing champion’s return to the ring, which won several awards. This was followed by the celebrated A Man Aside, awarded both at home and abroad. In 2004 Perut and Osnovikoff completed their provocative experimental documentary film Clever Monkey Pinochet Versus La Moneda’s Pigs, detailing the military coup of 1973.