SLUMLORD MILLIONAIRE

Directors Steph Ching and Ellen Martinez (After Spring) were inspired to make a documentary about the housing crisis after hearing stories of New York landlords refusing to fix basic repairs and provide a liveable space for their tenants. Activists explain that this is a tactic to pressure their rent-stabilized tenants into moving out, so the landlords can turn their property around for a higher profit. But what is the human cost of real estate profit and gentrification? 

This CAAM-funded film follows four community members’ stories. The Bravo family helped pass the statewide “Asthma Free Housing Act”, when their landlord refused to remove toxic mold in their bathroom. Former supermodel Janina Davis, who wanted to help create more affordable housing, lost everything when she fell victim to a deed theft scam. Ren Ping Chen, a Manhattan Chinatown resident and advocate fights the construction of new 100-story glass luxury towers that will displace his working-class neighbors. And Bangladeshi American activist Moumita Ahmed runs for city council to hold corrupt landlords accountable, only to become the target of a smear campaign funded by real estate developers.

Director Steph Ching and Producer Nicole Tsien will be in attendance for the screening + Q&A.

Preceded By

Single Residence Occupancy

Directed by Omer Ben Shachar

A Chinese immigrant living in a Single Residence Occupancy apartment receives news that her family’s application for better…