New York New York

A "love letter" in the times of cholera, or better saying the times of COVID-19 around the world, a new disease that has claimed thousands of lives in the past months. Many artists around the globe are producing a reflection of our times of social distancing, empty spaces so we can take care of each other because the virus spreads out of control and in simple ways.

Spike Lee is one of those top directors who really have a case of love/hate about New York City on his many films, in his case where social clashes between minorities and majorities are a common thing, he took time to present what the city really means to him by presenting the city as it is now (possibly with the use of some archive footage too). The city that never stops and never sleeps is quiet, strange, frightening empty and unlike we see on the movies and news yet there's a beauty to it all with its many famous historical spots or simple neighborhoods. And the so-called Center of the World gets as soundtrack in this short the city's perfect hymn Sinatra's immortal rendition of "New York, New York".

It's hard to not get moved by the montage, specially its conclusion which doesn't deal with lockdown or isolation - it deals with the heroes on the front-line fighting the epidemic, saving lives and ones that we are truly greatful for their efforts: the health workers. They deserve this tribute because they're fighting the fight, with conditions or not, facing danger of getting infected and at times they're the ones facing backlash from people who manage to reduce the virus impact - not just New York, but everywhere. We in the audience get the chance to applaud those workers, artists are spending their time composing music, images or films as this one.

It's hard to not get emotional or nostalgic about this project, as we remember how things used to be but they can't for the time being.. As an outsider drowning in the political and media chaos the Corona virus has put us all together, a news clip brought me here. This is more than just the difficulties we are facing, the times we are living and how dark and sad realities we are under when there's no end in sight to such pandemic. It's an honest reminder that there are things to live for, to be grateful for what we had and to fight for what we really wish to live in society. 'This city, your city, our city will be a palace again', to quote a New York mayor from a movie. I'd just hope for more world filmmakers to try similar experiences such as this one because the ads are too didatic, sometimes badly written, and what we get on tv is depressive and people are still walking out (there's a huge difference between those who are truly essential to getting out and those simply disrespecting new rules, not even protecting themselves or others).

Here's a melancholic, comfortable and remarkable artistic statement. 9/10