Shadow World

Who says you don't learn anything from old media. In the local news section of the Philadelphia Inquirer was a piece by Daniel Rubin about a blog called "Shadow World". The title of the article is called " Beneath the El, dark video verité".

David Kessler is the creator of "Shadow Land", and it's a fascinating look at the other side of life here in Philadelphia .Most of the vignettes are beautifully edited, and contain little dialogue. Others have the subject talking about his or her life. Each vignette is about two to three minutes. Each piece is well done.

I'm told David uses a tiny Sony Handycam (A Sony trv22). I really like what David is doing, and I like how he treats his subjects. No bias at all. Mr Kessler also lives in the neighborhood he films in and that's probably why he gets the footage he does. Kessler edits some things that his subjects might get in trouble for. David says that he doesn't want to be seen as exploiting these people, and I believe him.

Some of the the subject material reminds me of a film called "Streetwise" by the filmmaker Martin Bell. Streetwise is a gritty documentary that looks at the life and lives of teenagers living on the streets of Seattle. I remember seeing the film in NYC at the anthology. I was blown away with the visuals and the way it presented its subjects. David Kessler's "Shadow World" seems to be in the same vein.

Take a look and see if you're not captivated by David's subjects, and I dare you not to come away moved. Also if you REALLY like "Shadow World". Donate. Mr. Kessler has a pay pal button on his web site and is taking donations now. I look forward to seeing more, and maybe meeting this very talented man here in my adopted hometown of Philly.