Sodom By the Sea1989

Co-maker: Mary Patierno Sodom By the Sea is a 17 minute experimental documentary about immigration to the United States. It uses the historic site of Coney Island as a point of departure from which to explore both the hopes and failed dreams of those who left their native lands to start a new life in America. Optically printed images of contemporary Coney Island are juxtaposed against the voices of immigrants describing their varied yet shared experiences. Intertitles serve to stitch together two parallel themes: that the heyday of Coney Island and the heyday of immigration to America occurred simultaneously, and that the two had both a subtle and lasting impact on each other. We hope to enlighten our audience to the fact that America has not always been welcoming to the newly arrived and to also remind people of the richness and diversity that immigrants continue to bring to the American mosaic. Sodom by the Sea was shot entirely on Coney Island, NY. All of the sound effects, as well as most of the interviews were also gathered at Coney Island or at nearby Brighton Beach.