With New York being a city so based in public transportation, how does that affect the connection between the boroughs and the kids in each borough and how does that play a part in the magic that is New York?
A—I think that it definitely helps to show how different worlds can feel so apart but together. Again, I feel like that goes back to that sense of community. None of these kids know each other, they're all raised differently, they all come from different backgrounds, but they all shared similar stories in other ways and they’re just a train ride away. You can get on the train for an hour and there are all these different places and people you can see and meet.
S—I think about this all the time because I grew up in a place that didn’t have that and to get to see your friends, or to run away from home, or just do whatever you wanted to do at 13 was really hard. We were hitchhiking and here you can get anywhere so easily which is something that I never take for granted because I’m from a place where that isn’t possible. I don’t know in what way it really affects growing up here but I guess it just allows you to meet people from different areas who you might not if you didn’t have the transportation.
What makes NYC so special for young people growing up there, what sets it apart from the other big cities? What made you choose New York for this project?
A—For me, out of all the years that I have been here I have always been searching for that love of New York that people talk about because I have that for my home, I love Miami, but I never felt that. I think while doing this project, and I think it was the greatest project I’ve ever been on just becasue of the emotions that came out of it. Being with those people, being with those kids, it was so innocent and I just wanted the best for them and for the world and it made me really fall in love with parts of New York. I think it was interesting because both everyone in front of and behind the camera were looking for the same thing and wanted that love all around.
S—I haven’t seen much of America so I am not really sure what other places would be like for young people, but in the context of where I have lived New York is a place where a lot of change happens and has happened throughout history. The kids who grow up here see it from the frontline in a lot of ways which goes back to that idea of them being very visionary and knowing what they want and how to say it and go after it. They know they can set the tone and they aren’t afraid to do it.