Ming of Harlem: Twenty One Storeys in the Air | Philip Warnell | New York Film Festival 2014
Flash back more than a decade ago. News breaks that a 500-pound tiger has been found in an apartment complex in Harlem. This seemingly incredible tale was something the media had only dreamt about, and the nation was captivated. Antoine Yates, Ming’s owner, was criminally charged with reckless endangerment and the possession of a wild animal, and much of the public condemned him and his actions. But that negative portrayal may not be the whole picture.
Ming of Harlem: Twenty One Storeys in the Air is director Philip Warnell’s first feature-length film, but his “freshman” status is very well hidden. Warnell’s work is experimental, a welcome fresh breath in the realm of documentary filmmaking. Instead of simply presenting a few interviews and some trendy graphics, now seemingly the status quo, he dares to try and make a transformative experience. Many of the most popular docs that populate our Netflix queues tend to stick to the former, and while entertaining and easy to watch, it has become a somewhat tired formula. The film’s bookends are anchored by a central focus on a largely silent, meditative segment portraying Ming’s existence inside the fabled apartment. Parts of this are narrated through a poem by Jean-Luc Nancy, soothing our souls and exploring out primal instincts. While incredibly simple, the no-frills approach to the cinematography proves itself an incredible asset. Many long shots of the tiger roaming around the rooms are lengthy, but if you’ve opened your mind to the message you won’t notice the time passing by.
Ming of Harlem‘s subject material is one of those topics that is so unique that it’s really hard to compare. Antoine Yates is such a likable person, and watching him being driven around Harlem and greeting passersby and reminiscing about his past is enjoyable. His tales of sitting atop the high rise with Ming and staring at the Manhattan skyline sound surreal. We get to see a very different man than the media framed those many years ago; a man that truly cared for his pets. Though Yates was indicted on criminal charges, his tiger was found to be in good physical health. It leaves us with an ambiguous picture, free of judgement.
It might be too long-winded for some viewers, but Ming of Harlem: Twenty One Storeys in the Air is a interesting, savory documentary that deserves a wider audience.
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