still/here (2001)

Plot

Harris crafts a poignant and haunting exploration of St. Louis, focusing on its neglected northside neighborhoods, predominantly inhabited by working-class African Americans. Using a black-and-white 16mm camera, he captures the desolation of empty streets and the crumbling facades of once-grand homes. As the camera glides through condemned buildings, it reveals a chilling testament to civic indifference. The absence of people amplifies the sense of loss, with only the unsettling sounds of footsteps, a ringing telephone, and sparse voiceovers providing a glimpse into the lives once lived there. The film is a powerful commentary on urban decay and social neglect.