From the lavish penthouses depicted in The Wolf of Wall Street to the humble tenements of Street Scene, the dwellings and daily lives of New Yorkers are the subject of so many famous films. More than passive backdrops, these settings often serve as emblems of entire cultures or neighborhoods aligning Peter Parker with the middle class or Birdman with the old theater district. They can also be viewed as barometers for the status of housing in New York City. And sometimes, these films even lead to housing booms, motivating viewers to settle in neighborhoods where they may walk in the footsteps of their cinematic heroes. Join us for a conversation about these trends, and the many depictions of a home in both classic and modern New York films. This program accompanies the Museum’s currenexhibitionAffordable New York: A Housing Legacy.

Reception to follow!