Open City: Kids

A.V. Rockwell captures life on the streets of New York City in this collection of ten short films—a mix of documentaries and narratives—depicting a cross section of some of the eight million lives whose stories are often overlooked. Shot in luscious monochrome and set to evocatively eclectic soundscapes, they are by turns gritty and transcendent snapshots of the dreamers, schemers, hustlers, and youths who give the cultural capital its singular rhythm.

Part of A.V. Rockwell's Open City Mixtape series.

The film follows Inez, who kidnaps six-year-old Terry from the foster care system. Mother and son set out to reclaim their home, as well as their identity and stability, in a rapidly changing NYC.

Part of A.V. Rockwell's Open City Mixtape series.

Part of A.V. Rockwell's Open City Mixtape series.

A music-driven short film presented as a visual prelude to Alicia Keys' sixth studio album, Here. Keys pays tribute to the communities that raised her in four slice-of-life segments depicting the coming of age experience in New York City.

Elizier, an emotionally-dejected new enrollee at The Edward R. Mill School for Boys, must overcome memories of a tragic past and the present hazing by his peers in order to tackle larger issues dominating his young life.

Part of A.V. Rockwell's Open City Mixtape series.

Part of A.V. Rockwell's Open City Mixtape series.

Spend a dreamy day traveling through New York City with one of its most infamous, yet beloved, local characters.