The Tunnel

From 1989 to 1993, filmmaker Dree Andrea followed the everyday life of six tramps who were trying to survive in an abandoned railway tunnel in New York. The film explores their past, their dreams and their views of life, and confronts the spectator with the tough life in this underground world. The tunnel was put back into use in 1991, which lends the film an extra dimension: will the tramps keep on living next to the darting trains in the tunnel or will they look for another shelter? In 1993, the authorities decided to close down the tunnel for security reasons. Behind the anecdotes a disconcerting view of American life is hiding. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)