Eminent Domain documentary “Battle For Brooklyn” on the “shortlist” for the Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (“The Academy”) announced last week that Battle For Brooklyn has made the “shortlist” of 15 documentary films that will advance in the voting process to be considered for an Academy Award.  This film has certainly come far and received rave reviews since we first viewed it in February at its debut screening during the ALI-ABA Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation course in Coral Gables, FL.

As we wrote this summer before the film opened in New York, Battle for Brooklyn captures a community’s seven-year fight to stop the use of eminent domain to take their homes and businesses for the construction of a mixed-use development including a basketball arena for the New Jersey Nets and commercial towers. It is a compelling story about the abuse of eminent domain and how this awesome power intended for the public good can destroy a community, literally. Read more about Battle For Brooklyn on this blog here, an movie review by fellow blogger Robert Thomas here and his interview with one of the filmmakers here.  Watch the trailer below.

Upcoming screenings: (Check battleforbrooklyn.com/screenings for a more up to date list of dates.)

November 22 – Chapel Hill, NC
 6pm at Varsity Theater

January 13, 14, 15, 2012 – Washington, DC
 Dome Theater, Artisphere in Arlington, VA

Friday, January 13th – 8:00 PM
Saturday, January 14th – Matinee with panel discussion TBD – 5:00 PM
Saturday, January 14th – 8:00 PM
Sunday, January 15th – 6:00 PM
All screenings will be followed by Q&A with directors Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley. A screening of the short film, “The Tragedy of Urban Renewal” by dir. Jim Epstein will precede each screening.

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