Battle for Brooklyn (2011) User Reviews

A Case for Community

[loomisdeanie · 10/10 · 15 June 2011]

Battle For Brooklyn is a sweeping chronicle of the highly divisive Atlantic Yards plan and one man's unyielding refusal to conform under insurmountable pressure. Filmmakers Galinsky and Hawley chronicle the narrative spanning nearly a decade, as the strife over what's best for the community unfurls. Complete with desirous politicians focused on exploiting the neighborhood's potential to become a basketball court for the Nets, resident Daniel Goldstein's interminable endeavor to protect the land, and the manifold positions assumed by residents and reformers alike, the film emerges like a Greek tragedy. Although this particular story is set in Brooklyn, NY, the central theme is germane to everyone, everywhere: when large amounts of money are on the table anything can be bought, including your home right out from under you. Goldstein is indefatigable as he grapples with both the dubious techniques invented to diminish the relevancy and even existence of the community and his neighbors who may have been lured in with assurances of a better world to come. As the ground is excavated around him, posited to become a basketball-mall supercenter, he and his family hold out for an equitable outcome while his neighbors slip out of sight and celebrities surface to champion both sides of the dispute. Notably, those who live in the area are opposed to the project, while those who reside far away rally for the demolition. Also pertinent is the story of the media and its undemanding adoption of the prefabricated packages handed to them by developers, while the local voice went largely unheard and/or unpublished. Battle For Brooklyn is as enthralling a film as it is an imperative message which merits ninety-three minutes of the viewers time. Goldstein's plight speaks an exemplar lesson in the preservation of community and the valor of both truth and follow through.

A fascinating documentary that exposes the misuse of eminent domain

[jjcasson · 10/10 · 28 June 2011]

This fascinating documentary film shows how a major real estate developer, with the collusion of government officials, was able to use eminent domain to gain control of a large parcel of land in downtown Brooklyn in order to construct a basketball arena and 16 skyscrapers. Emphasis is placed on how those who lived in the site and residents of neighboring communities attempted to get the massive project reduced to a more human scale. Their efforts were thwarted at every turn.

One of the leaders of the opposition, who spent years fighting the project, receives much of the film's attention. During that time, his engagement ended, he met and married another opponent of the project, they had a child and they became the last family on the site to be forced to vacate their home.

This movie is highly recommended.

Must Watch!!!!

[dennishsu · 10/10 · 17 June 2011]

This is a movie with sorrow and hope. This is a movie about how loyal Brooklyn residents defend their roots and memories. The continuous fight between gov/private sector interest groups and the local people built up the backbone of this extraordinary story. It is not just a movie for Brooklyn people, but a movie for everyone who has a past and future to cherish and protect. The metaphor of a newborn concluded the movie with tremendous hopes and encouragement. It is a loss of yours if you missed this epic. 10/10 stars. It will open in NYC today 6/17, do bring your family and friends with you to the closest theater to watch this excellent movie!!

The New American Way

[julie-odom007 · 10/10 · 21 August 2015]

Battle for Brooklyn was a very well researched, well told, emotional story about a very complex story-the type of story print journalists never do any more. Living in Texas, I wasn't familiar with this project, but I have heard horror stories about eminent domain laws being used in questionable ways. What happened in Brooklyn should scare the hell out of every one of us. Billionaire developer Ratner (who also owned the Nets at the time) decides to build an arena, some shopping and housing in Brooklyn. Where families are living. Where businesses have been running-some since the 1960s. These are not slums, they are lofts and apartments. But instead of coming to the residents and offering to buy them out, the developer uses eminent domain-with approval by the state-by saying the entire area is "blighted". The entire deal was done without any input from the community. It was clearly an illegal use of the e.d. law but the NY court disagreed & ordered the last residents & businesses out. Mr. Ratner made $1.6 Billion on the deal, while according to the NY. Times the city lost $40 Million. Of 15,000 jobs promised, well, that never happened. There was no oversight. Beautiful old buildings were demolished and replaced by weed-filled lots. If our systems have gotten so corrupt as to allow things like this to go on with absolutely no recourse, we are in need of documentaries like this one. I thank the film makers and the Brooklyn residents who fought the good fight.