Los Angeles Premiere of “Drop Dead City”

Following its sold out run in NYC, the new documentary “Drop Dead City” will make its Los Angeles debut on Thursday, May 22, 7:00pm at Laemmle NoHo 7 in North Hollywood. 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 at the NoHo 7 screening for a Q&A. 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

Following its Los Angeles debut at North Hollywood’s Laemmle NoHo 7, “Drop Dead City” will screen at Laemmle Monica Film Center (Santa Monica) from May 23 to May 29, and 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 NoHo 7
5240 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601