Union Square

USA 2003, 90 minutes
Dir. Stephen J Szklarski
Rating: [R16]
Genres: Documentary

Aroview: Powerful and absorbing documentary about the worlds of seven heroin addicts who 'hang out' in Union Square, New York City, and testify and demonstrate in candid detail the background and manner of their lifestyle.

Taking a non-patronising view of it subjects, all of whom have in some way 'chosen' their path, this grants them long takes to explain their means of living (busking, begging, crime, dealing) and the heartbreaking dimensions of their circularly-reasoned despair. This DVD set also includes a 70-minute followup documentary.