West 47th Street
(Documentary)
Date in print: Sun., Apr. 14, 2002
A Lichtenstein Creative Media Production. Produced, directed by Bill Lichtenstein, June Peoples.
By DENNIS HARVEY
An up-close look at the mentally ill undergoing a systematic re-integration into society, "West 47th Street" profiles the work of an exemplary Gotham rehab institution by tracking four clients over a three-year period. Involving, insightful docu is well suited to educational broadcast slots.
Fifty-year-old Fountain House provides housing, counseling and job placement services for those with serious mental illness. Org is swimming against recent decades' tide of funding reductions and increasing homelessness for such patients. Quartet spotlighted here are a disparate lot who undergo significant changes during pic's timespan: Emotionally fragile Zeinab, whose husband fled her schizophrenia by taking their kids back to Egypt, finds a new lease as an inhouse cook; Tex spent virtually his whole life in asylums and under court orders before gaining legal independence in his 70s. Bipolar cross-dresser Kenneth (aka Frances) successfully lobbies the legislature for policy changes, only to discover he has terminal kidney cancer. Most problematic case is that of Fitzroy, a schizophrenic Rastafarian whose persecution complex, drug use and unpredictable rages at last exhaust Fountain's resources, landing him back on the street. Canny editing maintains interest throughout well-handled package.
Camera (color, digital Beta), Lichtenstein, Mark Petersson; editor, Spiro Lampros. Reviewed at Cinequest Film Festival, San Jose March 3, 2002. Running time: 98 MIN.