Annie - Street Orphan in New York 1998
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Produced by Rob Hof
Directed by Rob Hof
VHS, color, 45 min.
Adult
Sociology, Homeless
Date Entered: 11/19/2004
Reviewed by Gerald Notaro, University Librarian, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida, St. PetersburgThe danger of focusing on one individual in a documentary is that they be representative of a group, or interesting enough as the sole focus. Annie - Street Orphan In New York is neither. Especially problematic, much like the characters in Rent, is that Annie is not a sympathetic character. Her situation is unique to her. She has a supportive grandmother where she stays (flops) as she pleases. She reports no sexual assaults on the streets. She prefers drugs, crime, and street camaraderie to societal approval and home. Those in Annie's life who know her attest to her brightness and intelligence. She shuns any authority over her. She claims her choices are no choices, a bad message to give. Though subtitled, Children Underground (New Video 2202) is a far superior look at homeless and street youth.