Emergent City is almost entirely observational.

We did that intentionally because we felt that given the polarization around this issue, given the polarization in the country right now, it felt like making a film that didn't tell people what to think, but actually gave them an open-ended experience where they could draw connections and grapple themselves with who they thought was right and what should happen felt more valuable in this moment.

It's a huge responsibility documenting a moment in history like this and creating something that will be part of the historic record.

By paying attention to the work that this community in Sunset Park did over the course of a decade, gives us a model and reminds us what's possible when people participate and show up in our democratic systems and structures.

It's important for people to be knowledgeable and understand the drivers of change and the processes through which change happens so that they can actually be empowered to shape the future of their neighborhoods.

We're at a moment when democracy as we know it is sort of deeply under threat.

And unless we actively show up and participate in it and fight for it and work to hold those we've elected accountable and, you know, run for those offices ourselves and just keep fighting inside and outside the system, we're going to lose it.

And this film is an homage to that and a representation of a deep fight both inside and outside the system in action.