Bethlehem Steel

Synopsis

Bethlehem Steel was once a major force and symbol of American Industrial progress. Workers at “The Steel” forged the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, the Golden Gate Bridge, and armaments for WWII. The plant was recently demolished to make way for the Sands Casino (owned by Sheldon Adelson). Since 1997, a group of artists have been collaborating to sneak into the abandoned plant and document it before much of it was lost to redevelopment and time.

Director Biography

Jesse Erica Epstein received an MA in documentary film and gender studies from NYU. She has directed, produced, field produced, and filmed documentary projects nationally and in Africa, India, and the Netherlands. She founded a youth video program in Manhattan's Lower East Side. Jesse has also worked with the International Rescue Committee and Global Action Project to produce film projects with refugee youth, and recently lead the Sundance Institute's Reel Stories documentary film lab for teenagers.