SydHonda Media LLC Presents the Feature Length Documentary Film On Gentrification:
As seen on:
Northeast Passage:
The Inner City and the American Dream
Gentrification Documentary Film Gentrification Documentary Film Gentrification Documentary Film Gentrification Documentary Film Gentrification Documentary Film Gentrification Documentary Film Gentrification Documentary Film

"...A sharp-eyed film that puts a human face on the (gentrification) debate..."
--- The Oregonian

"...Throughout the film...emotional strength and honesty shine through..."
--- The Portland Tribune

"...the film approaches gentrification and affordable housing from a fresh standpoint...unencumbered by politics...it's hard not to come away from Northeast Passage without emotion..."
--- The Willamette Week
Gentrification

NorthEast Passage is a feature length documentary film about gentrification, community revitalization and affordable housing in the African American neighborhoods of inner North/Northeast Portland, Oregon. The film documents the life an African American single mother, who struggles to improve her life in a neighborhood that is rapidly changing from dangerous ghetto to middle class enclave.

The film compares the life of one woman with the differing perspectives of history and public policy to create a unique portrait of a neighborhood in the midst of dramatic change. The filmmakers juxtapose interviews with public officials who trace the roots of housing discrimination in the African American community with the day-to-day life of someone who actually lives in affordable housing.

Gentrification

A conflict is set into motion early in the film. Public officials emphasize the need to create affordable housing in order to revitalize the community and offset displacement caused by gentrification. But in stark contrast the woman who lives in affordable housing is concerned only with the crime and drug dealing she faces everyday on her block. This clash between class, race, and the push to improve the neighborhood culminates when the film's main character joins with the neighborhood's new white residents to fight the development of a proposed affordable housing complex on her block.

Gentrification

This irony is the centerpiece of NorthEast Passage. Neighborhoods besieged by disinvestments, discrimination and crime frequently welcome any change that seems to be for the better. While some black families may support gentrification in their neighborhood at first, it comes at a very high price. Long term residents are often priced out and a new class prejudice can arise, when homeowners replace renters in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Northeast Passage: The Inner City and the American Dream, an "acclaimed film on Gentrification and affordable housing in Portland, Oregon" has quickly developed what the Portland Tribune described as a "cult following." Hundreds were turned from two sold out premier screenings at McMenamins Kennedy School, resulting in the film being held over by popular demand for a unprecedented third screening . The theater successes were followed by a highly anticipated prime-time broadcast debut on Oregon Public Broadcasting's Oregon Lens program. The film is set to hit the festival circuit over the winter, and discussions on future partnerships are in place with public television networks nationwide .

"I'm constantly approached by people who saw the film and were deeply impacted," says City Commissioner Erik Sten, who appears in the film. "As a trigger for important dialogue, and as an education tool that doesn't shy away from many of the unpopular truths of these issue, the film does a stellar job." The producers, Spencer Wolf and Cornelius Swart, think they've just tapped the surface as to the impact the film can have not only locally, but nationally as well. "We always envisioned the film as a vehicle towards greater awareness, an educational aid that, hopefully, works as a catalyst for important discussion," Wolf says. "And as these issues become more and more apparent in cities all across the nation, we think the lessons learned, and the perspectives unearthed in Northeast Passage, can be a valuable tool for any community faced with a similar transition," adds Swart.

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