Watch Walter Rosenblum: In Search of Pitt Street

Walter Rosenblum: In Search of Pitt Street is a documentary film from 1999 that tells the story of acclaimed American photographer Walter Rosenblum and his search for the lost Jewish community of the Lower East Side in New York City. The film is directed by Nina Rosenblum, Walter's daughter, and Daniel Allentuck, and features interviews with Rosenblum, as well as archival footage and photographs.

Rosenblum was born in 1919 in New York City and grew up in the Lower East Side, a neighborhood that was home to many Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century. His parents were Russian immigrants who ran a hardware store on Pitt Street, and he spent much of his childhood exploring the streets and alleys of the neighborhood. As he grew older, Rosenblum discovered a passion for photography and went on to become one of the leading documentary photographers of his generation.

In the film, Rosenblum reflects on the impact that his childhood and his Jewish heritage had on his work as a photographer. He talks about the importance of capturing the stories and experiences of ordinary people, and how his upbringing on Pitt Street influenced his approach to photography. He also discusses the challenges he faced as a Jewish artist during a time of anti-Semitism and prejudice in America.

Throughout the film, Rosenblum returns to Pitt Street in search of the traces of the Jewish community that once thrived there. He walks through the streets and alleys of the neighborhood, pointing out the old tenement buildings and storefronts that have been abandoned or repurposed over the years. He talks to former residents of the area, many of whom are elderly and have vivid memories of growing up in the community. They share stories of their parents and grandparents, who came to America seeking a better life but often found themselves living in cramped and difficult conditions.

Interspersed with these interviews are archival photographs and footage that vividly illustrate the history of the Lower East Side. We see images of crowded tenements, bustling street markets, and children playing in the streets. We also see photographs taken by Rosenblum himself, which capture the spirit and vitality of the community in its heyday.

The film also explores Rosenblum's personal life, including his marriage to fellow photographer Naomi Savage and his involvement in political activism. We see footage of Rosenblum and Savage traveling to Cuba in the 1960s, where they photographed the revolution and met with Fidel Castro. We also see interviews with Rosenblum's children, who reflect on their father's influence on their own careers as artists and activists.

Ultimately, Walter Rosenblum: In Search of Pitt Street is a moving portrait of a remarkable artist and the community that shaped him. Through Rosenblum's own words and images, we come to understand the power of photography to document and preserve the stories of ordinary people. We also gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century, and the resilience and creativity they showed in building new lives in America.

Walter Rosenblum: In Search of Pitt Street is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour.