Premiere Date: December 10, 2008
Synopsis
Cranes dominate our skylines, yet few people ever notice them, nor do they notice the men and women who operate them. Spending most of their time alone up in the crane, crane drivers seem to merge with their machines, becoming invisible to passers-by. City of Cranes takes the viewer hundreds of feet above the ground to hear the insights of crane drivers, and see a glimpse of the poetic, mesmerizing world of cranes.
City of Cranes is part of the POV Shorts Program on August 18, 2009.
Are you aware of our Comment Policy?
* Your email address is for verification purposes only and will not be published, shared, or sold to other entities.
Filmmaker
What I didn't realize was that making this film might actually take longer than it would for the crane drivers to put up a 50-story building.”
— Eva Weber, Filmmaker
Critical Acclaim
One of the most absorbing documentaries of the year... once seen, won't be forgotten”
—The Observer
Utterly crafted... wholly transports you to a different physical and psychological space”
— Fourdocs
A beautiful, revealing and multi-layered film...”
— dfgdocs
Sublime visual/audio poetry”
— indieWIRE
Upcoming Films
Patti Smith: Dream of Life
Wednesday, December 30
Reviews & Reactions
Average Review
| based on 5 reviews
Great little piece.
I liked it more than the main feature "Inheritance".
by Kyiakhalid Ruiz
July 29, 2009, 1:31 AM
Cranes are So Great
I have no idea why but I have been fascinated with tower cranes for as long as I can remember. The internet has provided me with lots of technical information on how they work and are are assembled and "Driven". This is the first piece I have seen on the thoughts of the operators and adds greatly to my appreciation of the crane. Wonderful film. Thanks
by Ray Morin
August 15, 2009, 9:21 AM
Instructor - heavy equip. tower cranes
I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A COPY OF P.O.V.
CITY OF CRANES TO USE IN OPERATING ENGINEERS CLASSROOM. HOW CAN I DO THIS.
THANKS, JIM SULLIVAN
Instructor
by JAMES SULLIVAN
August 25, 2009, 2:19 AM
Shared Love
I thought I was the only one who saw cranes in a poetic nature. I have been taking pictures of cranes all summer and was so ecstatic to have stumbled upon this video.
Thank you
by Jenna
August 26, 2009, 10:57 PM
a different perspective of the city
This documentary reminded me of Italo Calvino's book Invisible Cities. Crane Operators have a perspective of the city that is not accesible to the average city dweller. They have a perspective that shows a hidden city.
by John
August 31, 2009, 7:24 PM