United States

Coney Island

1993 • Coney Island is being rebranded as a cool getaway for people who live on the other side of Brooklyn. But 25 years ago, before social media bragging rights were a thing, Coney was so beat it hurt. The Mermaid Parade was becoming an annual excuse to endure the interminable subway ride from Manhattan, and if you stayed close enough to the boardwalk, you could make believe it wasn't as tragic as it looked and smelled. But off-season, when the rides were closed and the mermaids had all gone home to their tiny apartments in the East Village, you could begin to understand why "Requiem For A Dream" had to be filmed here. This place will always haunt the hell out of me. (video by stillborndecay)

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