16 Acres

Why has it taken so long to erect a new building where the World Trade Center once stood? While for some, Ground Zero is sacred ground on which family members died, for others, it’s nothing more than a valuable building plot in a prime location. Countless interested parties are attempting to influence the development of this area. Ultimately, however, it is a mere handful of people that pull the strings. These people are faced with an immense amount of pressure: not only do they have to make decisions regarding a very expensive property, but also to the landscape and identity of New York. So who are these men and women? 16 ACRES offers a peek into the power games that found a provisional conclusion with the opening of the Memorial Centre in September 2011. The film clearly documents the sense of duty, power, and the extreme challenge faced by the decision makers in balancing noble intentions with politically motivated proposals.