During the "new economy" days of the late 1990s, a number of high-tech, Internet start-up companies flocked to the San Francisco Bay region, where rents quickly doubled and tripled; mom and pop stores were replaced by oxygen bars, expensive lofts, and boutiques; and a new class of winners and losers was created. A lucky few became overnight tycoons, while many working class families, immigrants, and artists were evicted, ultimately ending up living under bridges, in homeless shelters, or in cramped quarters with extended families. Filmmakers Francine Cavanaugh, A. Mark Liiv, and Adams Wood's Boom: The Sound of Eviction examines the origin of the new gold rush--particularly as it has affected the historic, ethnically diverse Mission district--while raising a number of salient questions concerning the role of government in balancing economic growth with the interests of the working poor and middle class, and whether housing should be considered a basic human right. Contrasting today's conflicts with old promotional films painting a rosy picture of the Bay area as a melting pot offering opportunity for all, the documentary clearly advocates for housing rights, while also presenting contrasting views from protestors, businessmen, and government officials, as the eviction issue winds through rallies and referendums. Although the dot-com boom turned to bomb in 2000, and many of the Internet firms folded their tents, the high rents and the question of houses for people or businesses remained to vex San Francisco. While this video really could have used a narrator, most viewers won't have any trouble following the battle, which is being fought today in a number of cities across America. Superior to the similarly themed Housing Is a Human Right: Seniors and Section 8 (VL-7/00), this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)
Boom: The Sound of Eviction
(2002) 96 min. $50: high schools & public libraries, $200: colleges & universities. Whispered Media (dist. by Boom: The Movie). PPR. Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 4
Boom: The Sound of Eviction
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: