Laemmle Theatres Presents “Drop Dead City” at Monica Film Center

Following its sold out run in NYC the new documentary “Drop Dead City” will screen from Friday May 23 to Thursday May 29  at Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica. Produced and directed by Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn “Drop Dead City” is the first-ever documentary about the New York City fiscal crisis of 1975 an extraordinary overlooked episode in urban American history that saw an already crumbling city of 8 million people brought to the edge of bankruptcy and social chaos in a perfect storm of greed incompetence ambitious social policy and poor governance.

The documentary won the prestigious Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for film was the 2024 closing night feature of DOC NYC and currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The filmmakers will be in attendance for a Q&A at the 7:10pm screenings on May 23 and May 24 at the Monica Film Center. Find information and tickets for all SoCal screenings here: https://www.laemmle.com/film/drop-dead-city

“Drop Dead City” is a gripping even-handed documentary built entirely from 16mm archival footage and firsthand interviews chronicling New York City's near-bankruptcy in 1975—a pivotal moment that reshaped the city and foreshadowed modern political and economic crises. Named after the infamous Daily News headline "Ford to City: Drop Dead" the film captures a year of cascading emergencies—from shuttered schools and hospitals to burning neighborhoods and clashing stakeholders—as unions banks government officials and citizens faced the unthinkable. Through the lens of NYC’s collapse and survival it reflects on today’s unraveling public institutions tracing the ideological roots of current political divides back to this watershed moment in urban American history.

“Despite its focus on events 50 years ago the film raises striking parallels with the present. The 103-minute film is a visual delight for anyone who enjoys footage of vintage New York City… Set to a funk and soul soundtrack that would make Quentin Tarantino’s music supervisor bow in respect." ~ WNYC / Gothamist

“Drop Dead City” will make its Los Angeles debut at North Hollywood’s Laemmle NoHo 7 where the filmmakers will be in attendance for a Q&A on Thursday May 22 at 7:00pm.  The film will also screen at Laemmle Town Center 5 (Encino) on May 24 and May 25. For more information screening times and tickets please visit: https://www.laemmle.com/film/drop-dead-city

Address:

Laemmle Monica Film Center

1332 2nd St.

Santa Monica CA 90401

You may also like the following events from Green Galactic:

• Happening on, 24th April, 08:00 pm, Skylight Theatre Company presents “The Winter’s Tale” in modern verse in Los Angeles
• This month, 15th May, 08:00 pm, Skylight Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of “Hide & Hide” by Roger Q. Mason in Los Angeles
• This Thursday, 22nd May, 07:00 pm, Laemmle Theatres Presents the Los Angeles Premiere of “Drop Dead City” in North Hollywood