Terminal Bar is an award winning American documentary short film directed and photographed by Stefan Nadelman. Relying on a variety of animation such as live action and black and white photography to illustrate an image of the by-gone era of New York. Terminal Bar premiers the work of bartender through a photo-driven documentary. This short film was produced with the hope of rescuing the craft from obscurity as well as show Stefan Nadelman’s skills as a filmmaker.

Although pictures taken featured people different backgrounds, the film mainly depict life of gay customers who lived on the edge of society in one way or another.

Terminal Bar was once a regular bar but, over time there was an increase in number of gay customers attending the bar. This resulted in the Bar becoming an attraction site for gay customers across America.

The terminal bar was a unique bar because it was like a community, rather then semi successful bar.

Examining this documentary, what caught my eye was the flow of black and white portraits throughout the film. It was an interesting concept that can be used to interpret emotions and feelings through pictures. In my opinion the use of black and white photographs captures the unique corner of the world in all its complex glory.

Through the different use of imagery intermingled with narration about the bar’s history, makes for a compelling and engaging short film. Raw and evocative, the photos keep a part of the bar alive – and a history that shouldn’t be forgotten.