In October 2012, Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc in a quant neighborhood merely 23.8 miles away from bustling Manhattan, known as Beach 119th Street. Accounting the residents’ stories about Sandy’s destruction, the short documentary Beach 119 sets to explore how amidst tragedy and strife, a small neighborhood of friends, families, and strangers came together in a time of need.
Directed by Marcia Allen and Jessica Beutler of NYC-based company MAC Presents, the documentary seeks to tell the stories of these battered residents as they coped with the aftermath of the hurricane, the second deadliest in the country's history. In the documentary, a group of volunteers, The Beach 119th Street Angels, work with the residents to reinvigorate the neighborhood- whether it be installing electricity, donating bottled waters and gas, or passing out Thanksgiving meals.
The film features music from the Foo Fighter’s “Home,” Gaslight Anthem’s “National Anthem,” and Cary Brothers’ “Take Your Time,” who allowed use of their songs, free of charge, to help the cause, and an original score by Mike Mushok (Staind). Due to her affiliation with the film and the Beach 119th Street cause, Allen was one os 17 recipients of the Champion of Change award given by the White House Office of Public Engagement. Watch the documentary below.
