Rockaway has better angels on their side.
Two women who helped raise over $100,000 for Sandy-battered Rockaway residents with the group “Beach 119th Street Angels” have shot a documentary that they hope will bring more aid to the area.
Marcie Allen and Jessica Beutler directed a 15-minute short film in three weeks called “Beach 119” that debuted online Jan. 14.
“We wanted to focus on one block because that way we knew we could make a real difference,” said Allen, 39, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. “But this is not about what we did. We wanted to give the families who have gone through this a voice.”
Allen owns a music company called MAC Presents that books endorsement and sponsorship deals for musicians. They were able to get industry contacts to bring relief to the peninsula in the days following the Oct. 29 storm.
“We just wanted to help any way we could,” said Beutler, who is vice president of the company. “It’s been amazing to see their perseverance during the storm and their spirits and how they came together.”
Now they hope to aid the peninsula with the movie.
They have entered the short into the Tribeca Film Festival and the South By Southwest Film Conference and Festival in hopes of creating a longer feature.
“We want to have someone see it and help fund a full-length film so we can tell their stories,” said Allen. “Many families affected by the storm feel like they’ve been forgotten.”
The duo found out how severe the storm’s impact was in the Rockaways through their friend, Issy Sanchez, who lived on Beach 119th St. for nearly 25 years before the storm hit.
“I just said that we needed help,” said Sanchez, 56. “They came and started bringing food and water right away. They did a phenomenal job. Now, their movie shows the reality of what happened.”
Other people on the block said they were glad to see their story told.
Cynthia, 65, who appears in the film and estimates that her home sustained over $60,000 worth of storm damage, said she wanted people to remember her community.
“I think everybody has moved on,” she said. “I’m glad that somebody is talking about it. It’s just very difficult for people going through this.”
Allen said the main goal with the film is to bring more relief efforts to the Rockaways.
“One person can make a difference,” she said. “If one person sees this film and decides to help, that’s a success.”
