North Dixie Drive

“Mahoney makes his camera a nonjudgmental presence in his unrushed, finely calibrated visit to North Dixie Drive.  The subjects speak without apprehension – sounding confessional without worry and self-consciousness. And because Mahoney holds his shots – and lets his camera linger – we gain an unexpectedly revelatory glimpse of lives usually left unseen by the road’s passersby. Reminiscent of Herzog’s documentary work, what seem like moments of casual and unrehearsed self-disclosure become the conditions for profound and poignant human insights.”

    – David LaRocca, Ph.D. Editor of the Philosopy of Charlie Kaufman Writing Instructor, Harvard University

During one hot week in the summer of 2010, Brooklyn filmmaker Eric Mahoney set out to document a small section of his hometown called “The Traffic Circle.” This section of town situated in north Dayton, OH was once an epicenter of business and nightlife.  Today the area suffers from stunted economic growth, unemployment and a rise in crime.  What Mahoney delivers, is a portrait of the denizens who remain.  It is the story of big time wrestlers, car mechanics, a donut shop owner, an eccentric country singer, barbers, exotic dancers and car repo men.  This collection of people from all walks of life, live and work side by side, fighting to keep their lives an careers afloat in a failing economy.

Run time: 52 minutes