Brian Li's Blog

The DOC NYC event showcased a lot of  interesting  beautifully made short films. Out of the films showcased, however, my favorite would be the short film “Gentrification Express: Breaking down the BQX”. Although I am a bit biased seeing as I come from one the areas affected by the BQX line, I feel the short film was  really well  made.    The short film really captured  all of  the  issues  residents along the proposed line will face, as well as the greed behind the whole BQX project. This, I feel, created a nice balance within the documentary between the story of the  local residents  and the plan / the  true  desire of  implementing  the  BQX line. By doing this I feel it not only educates people on  corporal  greed and the effects of such greed on the people, but it also helps prevents the whole issue from becoming another “sob story” of the poor, so to speak.    By ...

“Crime and punishment”  is   a  rather eye opening documentary covering the politics behind NYPD action and involvement within the five boroughs. It was surprising to hear that police officers are forced to meet arrest quotas every month, and it was even more surprising to hear that some officers are making false arrests just to meet these quotas. I guess it just really shocking to hear about people in  positions  that are meant serve and protect  society / the people , turn against those very people. For me  it  really grounds my perspective of NY or life in general into reality. People, no matter their role in  society  or what they pledge to do for society,  can  be corrupted. Police  brutality seems like a far greater and dangerous  possibility  within New York.    I always found the animosity towards the police to be ir rational, how can there be so much anger towards people who risk their ...

Here is a basic story board for my upcoming video project.