Megamall - Movie Review - 2009

Back in 1996, the Pyramid Companies of Syracuse (New York) broke ground on a toxic dump in West Nyack (Rockland County, New York) to begin construction on the Palisades Center, intended to be a massive shopping mall, second in size to the monstrous Mall of America.

The construction site was one mile from the filmmakers' homes. They were alarmed. So was the entire community. Local residents feared a huge and hugely unwanted change to their quiet suburban way of life.

The filmmakers documented citizen protests and their long battle to prevent the establishment of the Palisades Center in their neighborhood.

Citing concerns about environmental issues following the stirring up the toxic waste site, congestion and pollution from traffic, increased taxes to cover civic services such as policing the area and trash removal, loss of income to downtown shops and businesses and to those located in other shopping areas, and the establishment of a monstrous artificial commerce-based community that was completely out of sync with the small town ambiance and lifestyle they enjoyed, the citizens of Rockland County protested against construction of the Palisades Center with public demonstrations, political campaigns and hard press court cases. Time and again, they faced off against Pyramid Companies' representatives in the field, at local government meetings and in the halls of justice.

But, despite universal local ill will towards the project, the Pyramid Companies continued to construct the mall, swaying (sometimes with bribes that lead to indictments) officials to grant them permits for construction, and conniving to build well beyond the size limits set by local government.

The filmmakers don't hesitate to point fingers at Pyramid Companies' honchos Robert J. Congel and Thomas J. Valenti, noting suspect tactics and citing specific instances of Pyramid Companies' egregious behavior. They allow Congel and Valenti expression of their points of view, showing interviews and other footage in which they promise the construction will benefit the community by creating new jobs and increasing local tax revenues.

But family run businesses that have provided generations with income are forced to close down. And, Pyramid proves itself to be a bad coportate citizen by repeatedly defaulting on its tax payments -- and the community can do little about it.

Community planning experts, interviewed about the Palisades Center and mega mall development, in general, put such projects into a larger context, suggesting that mega malls are 'consumption machines,' or non-places designed to disorient and distract visitors with environmental elements - bright lights and noise - that encourage them to buy, buy, buy.

While Megamall covers the Palisades Center's construction, revealing Pyramid's developmental play book, the film raises awareness about mall construction nationwide. Pyramid and other developers pick prime locations and building their 'consumption machines,' whether locals want them or not. Megamall gives an in depth overview of how mall makers are changing America's landscape and psyche.

If You Like This Film, You May Also Like:

• Up The Yangtze
• The Eleventh Hour
• Who Killed The Electric Car?
• Crude
• Plastic Planet
• The Warriors of Quigang
• What Would Jesus Buy?

Film Details:

• Title: Megamall - 2009
• Directors: Vera Aronow, Roger Grange and Sarah Mondale
• Premiere Date: January 24, 2009 (Santa Barbara Film Festival)
• Running Time: 81 mins.
• MPAA Rating: Not Rated
• Parental Advisory: Content advisory for parents for some language, voilence.
• Location: Rockland County, New York, USA
• Language: English
• Production Country: USA
• Production Company: Stone Lantern Films/Turnstone Productions
• Official Website
• Trailer