Fight or Flight Documentary
It all begins with an idea.
What is the Film About?
Fight or Flight is a documentary exploring how pigeon flying gave peace to men growing up in NYC from the 60’s-70’s. Pigeon flying has been a staple of NYC culture since the 50’s but is a lifestyle that is close to extinction. Fight or Flight will follow NYC pigeon flying legends and listen to their colorfully profound stories about how pigeon flying has changed their lives and the lives of their families. Pigeon flying has been greatly affected by the devastating gentrification of NYC, a generational disconnection from nature, and the technological boom of the 2000’s. Despite these setbacks, there is still a devoted crowd trying to keep this culture alive.
Inspiration Behind the Story
Growing up, my grandfather Juan Rivera would always tell me stories about his upbringing in the 60’s and 70’s. Each story he would share somehow always connected to the amazing feeling of flying pigeons. His love for pigeons always interested me and I wondered why he felt so connected to these birds. One day, while walking near my Bronx apartment, I saw a man feeding pigeons in the park. This visual led me to think about all those stories I heard while spending time with my grandfather. That question of “What makes people feel so connected to pigeons?” continued to circle my brain, and I had to figure it out. So I began my search for active Pigeon Racers/Fanciers in an effort to document this dying history. This film is my exploration into understanding my grandfather's upbringing in NYC, as well as giving the pigeon flying community their much needed visibility.
Impact
With the usage of Fight or Flight, I plan on uplifting the story of a community that helped build the New York that all now know and love today. New York City has faced a significant change within the last 30 years. Many implants (newly migrated residents- not originally from NYC) have moved into the boroughs, and much of what we knew to be New York feels like a distant past. With this film, I plan to cement the pigeon community and their stories into the history books. Uplifting their story will give New Yorkers a glimpse into the past that we often don’t get to see or hear. I hope to inspire the next generation of pigeon flyers and bring participation back to the sport.
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