A small section of 14th Street in New York City transforms into more than just a mundane city street in the hands of Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker, the talented directors behind the new HBO documentary “The Stroll,” set to release on Wednesday. Lovell and Drucker view this stretch of street, known as “the stroll” by transgender women who engaged in sex work in the area for several decades, as a significant piece of both transgender and New York City history. In an effort to fill the “50-year gap” in trans history between the Stonewall era and present day, their documentary provides a revised account of the experiences of trans individuals and sex work. The film follows the lives of the women featured, who were often subjected to harassment from the police and hostility from the community, particularly during their time in the infamous Meatpacking District. It delves into significant events in the city’s history, including the election of Rudy Giuliani, the era of gentrification under Bloomberg, and even the tragic events of 9/11.
Lovell and Drucker recently spoke to HuffPost, discussing their decision to tell this essential story of New York City, how they were received by residents while filming, and why they chose to incorporate stories of present-day trans activism. Lovell, who personally knew many of the subjects in the film due to her own experiences on the stroll, felt empowered by the opportunity to turn the camera on her friends and guide them through the process of sharing their stories. She recognized the need to shed light on the previously ignored trans history between Stonewall and the present, emphasizing its significance in understanding why the trans community is so mobilized today.
The directors strategically placed the stories of the trans women in historical context throughout the documentary. By presenting an intergenerational perspective, they ensured that voices from different generations were included in the film. This approach allowed them to chronicle the oral history that has been passed down among trans women about different time periods and the experiences they faced. Lovell and Drucker believed that by connecting the stories of these women to well-known historical events like 9/11 and the Giuliani era, they could make the film more relatable to all New Yorkers and help them realize their connection to the transgender community.
The documentary also explores the personal guilt experienced by long-term residents of New York who may have witnessed the vulnerability and exploitation that trans individuals faced on the streets. The directors cleverly juxtapose the benefits of the Bloomberg era with the negative impacts of policing and incarceration, highlighting the complexity of New York’s history and the intertwining stories of its residents.
Lovell expressed her recognition of New York City as a story in itself, inspired by Martin Scorsese’s discussion of storytelling and the city. She perceived the Meatpacking District as the perfect setting for a quintessential New York story, full of dingy streets and hidden histories that deserve to be told. Lovell was particularly moved by a powerful moment in the documentary when one interviewee walks down the transformed 14th Street and expresses their intense hatred for what it has become. Cashmere, also known as “Izzi,” played a crucial role in the film and was instrumental in the early stages of its development. The emotions displayed by Cashmere, as well as the memories shared by Lovell, serve as a reminder of the deep personal connections and experiences that shaped their lives during that time.
Overall, “The Stroll” is a thought-provoking and deeply personal documentary that sheds light on a forgotten chapter in trans history and its intersection with the vibrant city of New York. With its unique storytelling and historical context, the film invites viewers to empathize with the struggles and triumphs of the trans community while reflecting on their own relationship to the city and its past.
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