Venue Name

IFC Center

Schedule

Tuesday, January 29 8pm

Description

Our favorite ongoing documentary series devotes tonight's program to a new film about one of New York's most charismatic mayors, Ed Koch. Directed by journalist and first-time documentary filmmaker Neil Barsky, KOCH shoehorns the polarizing politician's life into a lean, mean and highly entertaining 95 minutes. In office from 1978 to 1989, Koch's reign was marked by a transit strike, the redevelopment of Times Square, the waxing AIDS epidemic, the rebuilding of the Bronx, and a final term riddled with scandal. Now 88, Koch, who was recently hospitalized for fluid buildup, is shown to be as opinionated and amusing as ever. Doubling as a wonderful trip down New York City's memory lane, Barksy weaves archival footage with commentary from both friends and foes to paint an engaging brush-stroked portrait of the man, blemishes included. Following the screening, the director is slated to appear for a Q&A.

- Mindy Bond, Flavorpill

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