900 Neighbours (2006)

Northcott is a multi-storey public housing estate in Surry Hills, Sydney. It was built in the 1960s. It houses 900 residents and has attracted negative publicity because of its social problems. In 2006 the residents staged a performance piece that included residents and actors. The film follows the preparations and the performance. The observational style introduces various residents and seeks their response to living in Northcott. Some amateur historical footage is intercut with the documentary.

The documentary is enriched by the openness of the residents to express their views. The dehumanising effect of public housing is defused by meeting a variety of the people who call Northcott home.