Video Description

Robert Moses, the subject of Robert Caro's 1974 book ”The Power Broker," was a dominant figure in New York City’s urban development from the late 1920s to the late 1960s. Known for his Machiavellian tactics, Moses held numerous influential titles that allowed him to reshape the city's landscape without ever holding elected office. He was responsible for major projects like FDR Drive, Jones Beach, Shea Stadium, and numerous expressways and bridges, significantly altering Manhattan's shoreline and displacing nearly half a million people. Despite his contributions to the city's infrastructure, Moses's legacy is marred by his controversial methods and racist policies. Caro's biography not only chronicles Moses’s life but also serves as a broader examination of power dynamics and urban planning in democratic societies. This documentary was made in collaboration with my friends Luke Simboli and Dylan Springer. Produced by: Harrison Trautschold Brown, Luke Simboli Directed and Edited by: Harrison Trautschold Brown Writing: Dylan Springer, Harrison Trautschold Brown, Luke Simboli Cinematography: Luke Simboli Thumbnail: Garrett Dahn 00:00 - Introduction 01:29 - The Power Broker Biography 03:40 - Urban development 05:38 - Life of Robert Moses 07:05 - Means of power 9:20 - Destruction of Little Syria / Southern State Parkway 10:51 - Impact on New York City