An intimate and brilliantly crafted "The Sunshine" takes a hard look
at the residents of a local New York flophouse, an astonishing but
yet tragic stories. The opening credits alone give a feel for the
local run down; sleazily dive that "The Sunshine" has come to being
known in the community.

In the entanglement of issues with poverty and living conditions
that can only be described as dark and damp without escape. It takes
the filmgoer into a living complex with people who live only to
survive day-to-day life. Director Phil Bertelsen takes these real
worldly issues and hits you with sadness, truth, and doubt of ever
getting out of their tragic predicaments.

The camera brings you to Vic who originally operated a radio station
back when he was in the military. This continues to be the constant
as the short movie marches on and Vic tells us his uneventful,
depressing life thus far. In many of these stories there is a sense
of regret, anger, and in some cases remorse for past haunting
events. Vic shares a very similar tale with his current tenants who
wander the insect invested hallways of The Sunshine.

`Sunshine' is a remarkable visit to a lonely and isolated inner
world for these fellow New Yorkers who have been long forgotten
about. They seem to corner themselves into these difficult
situations which they can't get seem to free themselves from. This
is truly a cornerstone for documentaries that capture life in its
darkest hour and in familiar form that we see daily. These are
stories about displacement and the ugliness of trying to survive an
endless stream of disappointment and grief. The saddest part to "The
Sunshine" there is no sense of coming out of their darkened state of
mind and into the glorious sun.

"The Sunshine" is one of seven preeminent documentary films that
have been sought after over the last few years. In its featured film
debut at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival it engrossed, and
captivated audiences with its devastating human stories. Simply one
of the best-recorded short films on human _expression in recent
years fascinating and down to earth, a must see for the big screen.

This docudrama is groundbreaking, and dramatic one of the finest
short filmic achievements yet sincere, compelling, and triumphant.

Daniel's review ***stars