80 Blocks From Tiffanys
Director: Gary Weis Run Time: 67 min. Format: Digital Rating: R Release Year: 1979
Nitehawk and Mass Appeal present A Nite With 80 BLOCKS FROM TIFFANY’S. Q&A with Robert R. Werner (The New York City police officer featured in the film).
Centering around rival gangs in the South Bronx (Savage Nomads and Savage Skulls), 80 Blocks from Tiffanys is a snapshot of an era, highlighting the severe social decay during this time period in an area that is indeed far away from the posh section of Manhattan. Focusing on high unemployment, prostitution, drug and alcohol abuse, the documentary shows the complex structure surrounding gang life from the police angle to community involvement. These kids steal, fight, and kill but they are also protective of their neighborhoods and immensely watchable. If you want to see a snapshot of the end of a decade in New York (complete with knee-high socks, disco street parties, and kung-fu movies), then this is one gang film you won’t want to miss.