In Jackson Heights

By

Frederick Wiseman

Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse communities in the United States and the world. There are immigrants from every country in South America, Mexico, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and China. Some are citizens, some have green cards, some are without documents. The people who live in Jackson Heights, in their cultural, racial and ethnic diversity, are representative of the new wave of immigrants to America. 167 languages are spoken in Jackson Heights.

Some of the issues the film raises—assimilation, integration, immigration and cultural and religious differences—are common to all the major cities of the Western world.

The subject of the film is the daily life of the people in this community—their businesses, community centers, religions, and political, cultural and social lives—and the conflict between maintaining ties to traditions of the countries of origin and the need to learn and adapt to American ways and values.

Festivals & Awards

La Biennale di Venezia 2015 – Out of Competition

Toronto International Film Festival 2015 – Official Selection

New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2015 – Best Non-Fiction Film

Trailer

Press

Wiseman is a shrewd, deadpan social commentator; and In Jackson Heights proves that, halfway through his ninth decade, he’s still at the top of his game.

ScreenDaily

Original title: In Jackson Heights

Production: Zipporah Films Inc.

Nationality: USA

Year of production: 2015

Running time: 190'

Language: English

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