Neighbors Welcome! RI hosts its second installment of the Block by Block Film Series with a piece by local film maker Marc Levitt.

Join us at 5:30 for a reception, screening, and panel discussion.

This is a free event!

Light refreshment included.

ABOUT THE FILM:

The New England triple-decker's history is a microcosm of the American urban experience. It is a story of paradox and transformation, where a simple architectural form became a powerful symbol of immigration and community, fostering a sense of pride and shared identity. The building emerged from a specific set of circumstances—industrialization, immigration, and transit—as a brilliant and democratic solution to a housing crisis. Its live-in landlord model empowered generations of working-class families, providing a tangible path to homeownership and stability. The triple-decker remains a relevant and potent symbol. It reminds us that the most innovative and effective solutions often arise organically from a community's needs, rather than being imposed from the top down.

The documentary film Triple Decker: A New England Love Story, directed by Marc Levitt, is a key cultural artifact in the building's recent history. The film is not a traditional review but an act of cultural reclamation. The title itself consciously reframes the building from a 'menace' to an object of affection and pride, seeking to restore the narrative to the people who inhabited these homes, fostering a sense of respect and connection to local history.