Neil Barsky, director of the just released documentary "Koch" was given remarkable access to the eccentric former NYC Mayor, Ed Koch for his film. The movie was coincidentally released just as Ed Koch passed away February 1st. In it, we see Koch's rise to power, his successes, failures, and controversies. The movie has been meet with positive reviews from the New York Times, New York Magazine, and The New Yorker. It is being shown in theaters across the city, and country.
Deemed as both a tribute, and an honest look at Ed Koch, the film was watched by the former Mayor himself before his passing. An avid film critic, he expressed an interest in writing a review of the movie himself. While he didn't get a chance to write a review, during a Lincoln Center question and answer session, Koch said he'd give the movie "five stars.''
A three-term mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989, the film shows us how Ed Koch tackled housing, tensions with the Cuomo family in the hotly contested political world, the MTA strike of 1980, and the intense support and controversy that surrounded him. While a part of the Democratic Party, he was known for taking a variety of stands on issues unpredictable from any single party line.
The film also provides a unique glimpse into the personal life of Ed Koch, his family, and his time after political life: An energetic and lively time period for him in its own right.
At Temple Emanu-El, current three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of Ed Koch, "He reminded us why we loved New York, and he inspired us to fight for it." Among many politicians and celebrities at the funeral service Monday, notable people included former New York State Governor Elliot Spitzer, and former US President Bill Clinton.
Comments