Documentary
United States of America
Dark Days is a groundbreaking documentary film that takes an intimate and cinematic look at the lives of the homeless people who live in the abandoned subway tunnels beneath the streets of New York City. Despite being located just a few feet below the bustling city, these tunnels are a world apart and home to a thriving community of individuals who have been discarded by society.
The film follows a group of homeless men and women, many of whom have been living in the tunnels for years, as they go about their daily lives. We see them scavenging for food, building makeshift shelters, and struggling to survive in an environment that is dangerous and unforgiving.
Through interviews and candid footage, the film offers a glimpse into the complex and often tragic stories of these individuals, who have been forced to make a life for themselves in one of the most inhospitable urban environments imaginable.
Dark Days was directed by photographer and filmmaker Marc Singer, who spent two years living in the tunnels himself while making the film. Shot on a shoestring budget, the film has a raw and unvarnished feel that captures both the harsh reality of life in the tunnels and the resilience and humanity of the people who call them home.
Upon its release in 2000, Dark Days was widely praised for its powerful storytelling, innovative cinematography, and compassionate portrayal of a largely forgotten population. The film went on to win several awards, including the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and the International Documentary Association Award for Best Documentary Feature.
