Astor Place, the American Dream
Directed by Giuseppe Malpasso20m[Documentary](/on-demand/category/documentary), [Short](/on-demand/category/short)
Astor Place Hairstylists, a fixture of Manhattan's East Village neighborhood for over 75 years, was closing as of Thanksgiving because of the pandemic. Over the years the barbershop had become simultaneously a beacon of New York City cool, a constant status symbol among punks and celebrities like Andy Warhol and Robert de Niro, a tourist favorite, and a reliable neighborhood barber where ordinary New Yorkers could pop in for a cheap, fashionable cut. Opened in 1947 and owned for three generations by the Italian Vezza family, Astor Place is considered the city's barber factory. Having evolved through the years, Astor Place is a microcosm of New York City. Its hair artists immigrated from many countries to chase their American Dream. Ultimately, they have formed a family, now totaling 40 barbers, who await a miracle to occur before their dream fades and take a piece of New York City with it.
