'COVID Diaries NYC': Live stream, release date, plot and all you need to know about HBO's docu on the deadly pandemic

The global health crisis affected everyone, but there are some stories that need to be heard and HBO has taken the responsibility of sharing such stories with ‘COVID Diaries NYC’
The cast of the 'COVID Diaries NYC' (YouTube/HBO)
The cast of the 'COVID Diaries NYC' (YouTube/HBO)

The on-going Coronavirus pandemic has been one of the worst events to take place in the 21st century. The virus forced every country to go into total lockdowns and shut down all of its commercial activities to prevent the spread of the disease. However, the United States of America was the worst-hit country in the world, seeing more than 2.9 million cases of deadly illness.

New York, Texas, California, Florida and many other states faced the brunt of the virus with maximum casualties. The global health crisis affected everyone, but there are some stories that need to be heard and HBO has taken the responsibility of sharing such stories with its new documentary titled ‘COVID Diaries NYC’.

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The upcoming documentary revolves around five young filmmakers, ranging in age from 17 to 21, who turn their cameras on themselves to tell the stories of their families during the Covid-19 pandemic. The docu will be an eye-opener for many people who have faced the wrath of the deadly illness.

A scene from the 'COVID Diaries NYC' documentary (YouTube/HBO)

Release date

Viewers will be able to see the ‘COVID Diaries NYC’ documentary exclusively on HBO on March 9.

Plot

The official synopsis reads: “The lives of five young filmmakers, ranging in age from 17 to 21, who turn their cameras on themselves to tell the stories of their families during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. The deeply personal film illuminates the plight of essential workers and their families during the early days of the COVID-19 crisis as they navigate the deadly virus and a country riven by social upheaval.”

It will be a five-part documentary and here are all the stories that will be discussed:

1)    "The Only Way to Live in Manhattan" follows Marcial Pilataxi, who lives with and helps his grandmother at a building where she works as the superintendent. They wrestle with the increasing amounts of tenants' garbage because of those sheltering at home. Marcial makes food deliveries and tries to maintain normalcy with his friends as the city he knows changes against the backdrop of the pandemic and a city torn apart by unrest in the wake of George Floyd's murder.

2)    "My COVID Breakdown" follows Aracelie Colón, who struggles with her mental health as her father continues to go to work at the post office every day while the threat of the virus looms.

3)    "When My Dad Got COVID" follows Camille Dianand, who is concerned about her father, a subway mechanic for the MTA. After a co-worker dies from the virus, her father contracts Covid-19 and the family faces life and death terror.

A scene from 'COVID Diaries NYC' trailer (YouTube/HBO)

4) "No Escape From New York" follows Shane Fleming, whose parents lose their jobs, leaving the family worrying about mounting bills, growing debt and their need to move out of New York City. They decide to go on a road trip to escape their problems, but the issues his mother and father face follow them wherever they go.

5) "Frontline Family" follows Arlet Guallpa, who watches with her family as ambulance after ambulance arrives at their apartment building in Washington Heights to take away residents who die from the virus. Despite their fears, her parents, a bus driver and home care attendant, carry on with work and try to overcome their anxieties about their family's exposure.

Cast

The movie consists of five amateur filmmakers who will be talking about how Covid-19 impacted them and their loved ones. Marcial Pilataxi, Aracelie Colón, Camille Dianand, Shane Fleming, Arlet Guallpa and Rosemary Colón-Martinez will be starring in the documentary. Rosemary will be in the movie and will be having original animation in it.

Creators

The film is being helmed by Marcial Pilataxi, Aracelie Colón, Camille Dianand, Shane Fleming, Arlet Guallpa and Rosemary Colón-Martinez. Each filmmaker will document their respective journeys. The project is produced by Jon Alpert, Jesse Perez Antigua, Sade Falebita, Naomi Mizoguchi, and Johnny Ramos.  Carrie Penner, Perri Peltz, and Matthew O'Neill are serving as executive producers.

Jon Alpert walks the red carpet ahead of the 'Cuba And The Cameraman' screening during the 74th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 7, 2017 in Venice, Italy. (Getty Images)

Trailer



 

Where to watch and how to live stream

The documentary will be available exclusively on HBO on March 9. It will also be streaming live on HBO Max.

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