Filmmaker Statement

I grew up in a very rural area, tucked a quarter mile up a gravel road atop a mountain. For me, the outside world was only accessible by car. Learning to drive and getting my license was the most profound symbol of freedom in my life. I think this is true for many people around the world, for all kinds of reasons. In New York City, a place I’ve lived in and loved for many years, getting your license can mean a lot of things. It might mean escaping the chaos of the city to find peace in nature, or simply being able to help a friend move without hauling a TV through the subway. No matter where you are, I’ve always felt that the process of learning to drive is deeply meaningful. The first time I drove in Manhattan, I was 17 years old and transporting five friends crammed into my 2001 Toyota Avalon. From the backseat, my friend Zach told me, "The trick to driving in New York is to make decisions with 100% confidence; either they're going to let you merge or you're going to hit them." I fo