Hi All!
It took 30 years of fishing Jamaica Bay for James “Frank the Fish” Culleton to build his home and business. It took just one night for the bay to reclaim them. For the past year, I have been documenting Frank the Fish's life as of one of Rockaway's last commercial fisherman and charter boat captain. This work has resulted in a piece entitled Devil in the Night (see below for link), and some of its images were published in the today’s New York Times (Sunday, October 27, 2013). Devil in the Night chronicles the lasting mental and physical losses James endured during and after Superstorm Sandy. His relationship with the water is the centerpiece of his life, the prism through which he views his world. For 12 months now, I have watched Frank bounce around from place to place trying to find a warm bed. Early on, dispossessed from his ruined home, he frequently slept in the front seat of his van. He eventually spent weeks on friends’ sofas and in a SRO. He remains in limbo.The stress of not knowing where he will sleep every night is tremendous.
LET’S END THIS CYCLE AND HELP FRANK!
Please help raise $7,500 so Frank can buy a motor home, allowing him to finally move back onto his property. If we succeed, it will be the first time since Superstorm Sandy hit one year ago, so that Frank will have a private place to eat, sleep, and shower. Every dollar raised will go into the purchase of a motor home for Frank.
Why does Frank need a motor home? Good question. Let’s break it down:
1. A permanent place to live, no more bouncing around!
2. His own bed. This would be the first time in a year that Frank would have his own bed.
2. Mobility. In the event of another storm, Frank can move his RV to high ground and escape the same predicament
3. Flexibility. Frank can follow the fish during the winter and make the money he needs to re-build his house, which will costs a lot more than a
motor home.
Please donate as much as you can afford, whether it is $10 or $1000 do. Help Frank pick up the pieces of his life. I ask on his behalf, because he is a hardworking and proud man who would never ask for help himself despite his tremendous need. Please help with whatever you can! Let’s do this this week, so Frank has something to celebrate on this one year anniversary of Sandy.
Here are some related links.
Anchor Me Here. Documentary Short.4minutes
http://vimeo.com/m/59762924
Synopsis: Abstract narrative meditating on the long-term effects of Hurricane Sandy from a community perspective. Based on the evolution of recovery: catalyst, loss, and rebuilding, the film is told in impressionistic strokes - contrasted with explorations of nature in all its beauty and lonliness. Storytelling through the eyes of first responders, fishermen, leaders of faith, and families.
Official screening and reception by MoMA/PS1in Summer 2013. Winner in Transmedia category at Tribeca Film Festival 2013 (exhibited under Sandy Storyline). Currently in rounds of submissions to various short film festivals. Planned hard launch online in Fall 2013 on year mark anniversary in conjunction with media partner. Camera grant of Phantom Miro provided by Vision Research as part of one of four finalists in nationwide search.
Frank's Story in New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/opinion/sunday/riding-out-sandy-in-the-rockaways.html
Jonah Markowitz's photographic piece on Frank:
http://jonahmarkowitz.com/#/devil-in-the-night/photographic-narrative
