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You Will Never Beat New York

At the end of March 2020 a 5-minute tradition began on the streets of New York City to honor first responders, healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, hospital staff), essential businesses, grocery store workers, delivery guys on bicycles, MTA workers, doormen, warehouse workers, etc.

At 7PM hand-clapping and cheering broke out around the city in spring, summer, and beyond to honor New Yorkers' resilience during a citywide crisis.

You Will Never Beat New York captures New Yorkers clapping, ringing bells, cheering, playing music and dancing while a race continued to save lives during a worldwide pandemic.

  • Roberta Fineberg
    Director
    Roberta Fineberg is a multidisciplinary artist. She lives and works in New York City. You Will Never Beat New York (2020) is her first short film.
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Other
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Roberta Fineberg

Roberta Fineberg is a multidisciplinary artist. RF lives and works in New York City. You Will Never Beat New York (2020) is her first short film, made on an iPhone.

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Director Statement

The short experimental film You Will Never Beat New York (2020) sparks discussion on the spirit of a city and the courage, strength and resilience of its people during a worldwide pandemic.

A cinema verite style - no dialog and improvised sound rhythms, chanting, and music in the streets drive the short experimental film forward. For viewers around the world, You Will Never Beat New York remains an homage to essential workers and a visual love letter to New Yorkers during a global pandemic in 2020 and beyond.