The Gangs of New York

Gangs in New York City have long been a favorite subject of politicians, writers, and filmmakers, going as far back as 1928 when the Gangs of New York, by Herbert Asbury, was originally published (and 74 years later inspired Martin Scorsese's film of the same name). Likewise, writer Luc Sante's Low Life discussed much of the same, and has gained wide recognition since it's publication in the early 1990's.

For more contemporary gang history it's the documentarians who have taken up the cause, and the focus has been the South Bronx. Gary Weis released 80 Blocks From Tiffany's in 1979. Here it is in it's entirety, and its well worth the time:

80 Blocks From Tiffanys (1979):


And this fall, the film is seeing a reissue on DVD, making it available for the first time in 25 years. Here is the trailer:



Likewise, Flyin' Cut Sleeves (1993), directed by Style Wars maker Henry Chalfont, and based on the experiences of Bronx-based schoolteacher Rita Fecher in the sixties & seventies, saw a reissue last year, and is available here.

Flyin' Cut Sleeves (trailer, 1993):


For a brand new take on the subject, the makers of Downtown Calling (yet to see general release) have already released a trailer for their next project, Rubble Kings. In a nice twist, Rubble Kings makes the connection between the era of NYC gangs covered in the above named films, the birth of hip hop, and the eventual huge influence on music and the arts in general. In that way, it should prove to be a nice companion piece to Downtown Calling.