Everybody Street

Everybody Street is a 2013 documentary released by director and filmmaker Cheryl Dunn, who is known for her keen eye on streets and urban culture in all its rawness and dynamics. This engaging documentary features luminaries of street photography such as Boogie, Martha Cooper, and Bruce Davidson as they navigate the city, always on the lookout for that opportune moment to etch into the heart of film.

The movie goes beyond just presenting snapshots; it offers an intimate and in-depth journey into the rhythms, passions, and philosophies of these versatile photographers. Each of these artists has a unique perspective and distinct style, varying from the socio-political to the purely visual. The exploratory nature of the movie uncannily mirrors the ever-changing vistas and scenarios that street photography presents.

Everybody Street opens up a comprehensive dialogue around street photography, starting from its roots in the early twentieth century. The film delves into the history of the art form, admiring photographic icons such as Alfred Eisenstaedt and Henri Cartier-Bresson who brought the streets to life with their cameras. The narrative focuses on New York City, a pulsating stage for the art, and highlights the reasons why the city’s life is such a magnet for street photographers.

Boogie, an acclaimed Serbian-born street photographer, is known for his haunting and beautiful images that often display the darker, unseen side of urban life. In Everybody Street, he takes you on a journey through his process, showing how he captures the underbelly of the city that goes unnoticed in everyday jostling.

Martha Cooper, an American photojournalist, is most famously known for documenting New York City's graffiti scene of the late 70s and early 80s. Cooper's place in the documentary provides an intriguing contrast to her co-stars. Her warmth and unrestrained energy are infectious as she shares the stories that she uncovers using her lens, documenting the lively interactions amongst people in the bustling streets.

Bruce Davidson, known for his compassionate documentation of Harlem, racial discrimination, and the New York subways during the 1980s, brings depth to the narrative. His thoughtful and empathetic take on street photography offers a compelling examination of the human condition and the unspoken stories echoing in the alleys and avenues.

Peppered with a collection of stunning, startling, and thought-provoking images, Everybody Street also ingeniously mirrors the fast-paced, rough, and unpredictable nature of street photography by employing rapid cuts and shifts in settings. The film celebrates the city, its people, the chaos, the grit, and the unyielding energy that populate the urban environment, all subject to the photographer's lens.

Everybody Street is not just a film about street photography but rather an insightful exploration of humanity in its multitudes, shot through the lens of the city that never sleeps. It explores numerous themes such as urban dynamism, sociology, life, and death, to name a few, with a searing frankness that is bound to resonate with the audience long after the credits roll.

Cheryl Dunn beautifully succeeds in capturing the chaos and serendipity of street photography while celebrating a city whose grit and vibrancy have been an endless source of inspiration for many artists. Through the film, Dunn cleverly breaks down the barriers between viewer and photographer, subject and environment, making Everyone Street a must-watch for not just photography enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in urban culture, street life and socio-anthropological studies.

In conclusion, Everybody Street is more than a documentary; it is an art piece in itself. It is a fitting tribute to New York City, street photography, and the artists who dedicate their art to capturing daily life in its raw form. It's an exploration of perspectives that gives its audience a new appreciation of life on the streets. This film is a master class in presenting the often ignored world behind the lens, unveiling the challenging yet fulfilling life of a street photographer.