Watch One October

One October is a 2017 documentary that presents a vivid portrait of New York City and its inhabitants during the month of October, when the autumn weather is as colorful and unpredictable as the people themselves. The film is a verité-style collage of interviews, soundscapes, and street footage that offers an intimate and multifaceted look at the rhythms and textures of city life.

The film is directed by Rachel Shuman, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker and editor whose previous work has focused on themes of immigration, globalization, and social justice. Shuman's approach in One October is impressionistic and immersive, as she eschews traditional narrative structure and instead lets the sights and sounds of the city speak for themselves.

The film is divided into 31 chapters, each one representing a day in the month of October. We start with a view of the New York skyline at dawn, and then follow a diverse array of people as they go about their daily routines. There's David Benson, a street vendor who sells art and jewelry in Union Square; Helen Berger, a retired college professor whose thoughts are turning toward mortality; Carl Cantz, a cab driver who reflects on the changing nature of the city he's called home for over 30 years.

We also meet artists, activists, musicians, and other denizens of the city, each with their own distinctive voice and perspective. There's a young woman who performs spoken word poetry on the streets; a middle-aged man who collects vintage radios and clocks; a group of teenagers who skateboard in a deserted parking lot.

Throughout the film, we are treated to a rich audio collage of ambient sounds, from the roar of the subway to the rustle of leaves in Central Park to the hum of a coffee shop. These sounds are juxtaposed with snippets of conversation, monologues, and phone calls, creating a dense and immersive sonic landscape.

One of the film's main themes is the idea of impermanence and change. We see the city in transition, as construction cranes populate the skyline and buildings are demolished to make way for new developments. People in the film reflect on the passage of time, the aging process, and the fleeting nature of life itself.

Another theme is the power of community and human connection. Despite the hustle and bustle of the city, we see moments of tenderness and empathy, as people reach out to one another in small but meaningful ways. We witness a man helping an elderly woman across the street, a group of strangers coming together to help a lost child find his mother, a musician who plays for an audience of one in a deserted plaza.

Ultimately, One October is a celebration of New York City and the diverse and vibrant people who call it home. It is a love letter to a city that is constantly evolving, yet remains a source of inspiration and fascination for millions of people around the world. By capturing the sights and sounds of a single month in this endlessly fascinating metropolis, Rachel Shuman has created a documentary that is both timely and timeless.

One October is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.