New York film makers Thomas Mazziotti and Jerome Heaven have made multiple narrative films – both comedies and dramas. They now tackle the ambitious project of creating a documentary from 1992 time capsule footage. Footage initiated by a Village Voice ad asking New Yorkers to tell their stories of love, life and happiness – a year which was marked by event such as John Gotti’s conviction, Arthur Ashe’s AIDS confession and, of course, the Rodney King riots that rocked the country.

This film literally is a moment captured in time in all it’s black and white 90s glory, featuring a series of raw and honest talking heads that were filmed for the time capsule project back in 92 . It’s the documentary equivalent of Richard Linklater’s ‘Slacker’ with very little connecting narrative or vision aside from recording a moment in time. The talking heads are intercut with other archive footage and some minimal animations and score that bring an art film feel.

What it does offer however is a fascinating insight into opinions, race relations, relationships and social attitudes from three decades ago from ordinary people from different walks of life. The subjects are not even named till the end of the film and we are introduced to them by their own stories which can be rambling in places.

It’s a record of how much attitudes have changed across three decades and at the same time a poignant reminder of how some things stay the same.

3/5 – a fascinating moment in time captured on film.

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The Passengers debuted at the New York City Independent Film Festival on June 6, 2025.