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| Ed Koch, the subject of Neil Barsky's "Koch" |
I was born in the mid-1980s and only visited New York City for the first time in 1998, so Ed Koch was only ever a name to me. I definitely heard the name– perhaps on the news or in "Seinfeld" reruns, but never knew anything about the man. Neil Barsky's strikingly well-timed documentary is not only a thorough portrait of the famed mayor and the changing forces at work in New York City through the 1970s and 80s, but also an inclusive educational work for those of us coming in with no background. This colorful character is so clearly presented, "Koch" almost feels like a narrative feature at times, despite never playing like one. Ed Koch passed away on February 2nd, coincidentally the same day this film opened in select cinemas. "Koch" also features as one of the most high-profile documentaries of this year's Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
