In the 1970s, long before Miami Vice put the spotlight on Miami, South Beach was a paradise for Jewish pensioners. Attracted by the weather, the low rents, and the rich cultural life, they first spent summers there after long, cold winters up north. Later, many settled in South Beach year-round. Photographers Andy Sweet and Gary Monroe documented the residents and their lives for more than 10 years in the 1970s and 1980s.
Their photos are a lasting monument to the Jewish retirees and visitors. Although many of the photos – documents of a forgotten era – seemed to be lost after Andy Sweet’s violent death, they have recently resurfaced. The documentary shows the two photographers’ different approaches, creating a unique portrait of a place and its residents, a place that no longer exists.
(JFBB)