A documentary about New York on the brink in 1975

Drop Dead City film poster with cartoon-like images of NY's leaders in 1975

NYC, 1975 - the greatest, grittiest city in the world is minutes away from bankruptcy when an unlikely alliance of rookies, rivals, fixers and flexers finds common ground, and a way out. 

“A home run made up almost entirely of errors.”
— Van Lingle Mungo
“Had me on the edge of my bed.”
— E. Allen Poe
“Mesmerizing!”
— Alan Greenspan
“Why we have sticks.”
— Jack Cafferty
“Why we have carrots.”
— Sue Simmons

DOC NYC Closing Night "SOLD OUT!"

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Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize Winner

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DOC NYC Closing Night "SOLD OUT!" 〰️ Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize Winner 〰️

Upcoming Screenings

Starting April 25, 2025

IFC Center in NYC
323 6th Ave
New York, NY 10014

 
Protestors holding signs and American flags in front of skyscrapers, possibly the Twin Towers.
A group of people, some shirtless, gathered outdoors under a blue sky, with one person holding an American flag. They appear to be enthusiastically clapping and cheering. The Brooklyn Bridge is visible in the background.
A group of people outside near a barricade, including a cameraman and several men in suits. Police officers in helmets are seen in the background.
Group of men in casual clothing interacting outdoors with city buildings in the background.
Garbage truck with "on strike" sign in front of piled trash bags and people standing nearby on a city street.
Protesters holding signs on a sidewalk, advocating for better school conditions. Signs read "Schools will not be Sweat shops" and "45 Kids per class is no class." They are associated with UFT NYSUT AFT AFL/CIO. People are wearing casual clothing.
A group of people stands on a street covered in scattered garbage bags and litter. One person holds a newspaper. The street is in a city setting.

Recent Reviews & Press

Featured
When New York Was ‘Drop Dead City
Reviews
When New York Was ‘Drop Dead City
Reviews

NY Times: A documentary about the city’s fiscal crisis of the 1970s, co-directed by the son of one of its saviors, wins the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film.

Reviews
New Documentary “DROP DEAD CITY” Explores New York’s Battle for Survival on the 50th Anniversary of the Fiscal Crisis that Nearly Bankrupted The City
Press Release
New Documentary “DROP DEAD CITY” Explores New York’s Battle for Survival on the 50th Anniversary of the Fiscal Crisis that Nearly Bankrupted The City
Press Release

New York, NY – March 19, 2025 – DROP DEAD CITY, a gripping new documentary about New York City’s 1975 fiscal crisis, that explores what life was like in the country’s largest city in the turbulent 1970s, is set to be released theatrically at New York’s IFC Center on Friday, April 25, 2025, the film’s directors announced today. 

Press Release
DOC NYC : ‘Drop Dead City’ Focuses on New York’s Fiscal Crisis of 1975
Reviews
DOC NYC : ‘Drop Dead City’ Focuses on New York’s Fiscal Crisis of 1975
Reviews

Cinema Daily: Who knew that a film about accountants, bureaucrats, and municipal bond offerings could ever be interesting, let alone downright enjoyable? After all, hasn’t economics often been referred to as the “dismal science”?

Reviews
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