You’re walking through the Lower East Side, dodging delivery bikes and smelling that specific mix of exhaust and expensive coffee, and suddenly you’re hit with a story that feels like it belongs in a different century. That’s basically the vibe of A Hare Grows in Manhattan. It’s not just a clever play on Betty Smith’s classic Brooklyn novel. Honestly, it’s a weird, beautiful, and slightly gritty exploration of what happens when the wild—literally—meets the concrete jungle.
People always talk about the rats. Or the pigeons. But a hare? That’s something else entirely.
This film, directed by Sarah J. Christman, isn’t your typical "nature in the city" documentary. It’s an experimental short that feels more like a fever dream or a visual poem. It premiered a few years back at the New York Film Festival (NYFF) and left people scratching their heads in the best way possible. It captures a side of New York that doesn't make it onto Instagram.
What Actually Happens in A Hare Grows in Manhattan?
The "plot," if you can even call it that, centers on the unexpected presence of a European hare in the middle of Manhattan’s urban sprawl. We aren't talking about a park or a little patch of grass. We are talking about the industrial, fenced-off, "no trespassing" zones of the city.
Christman uses 16mm film. It gives everything this grainy, tactile quality that makes the city look both ancient and futuristic. You see the hare darting between rusted metal and cracked pavement. It’s jarring. It’s supposed to be.
The film doesn't use a traditional narrator. No Morgan Freeman voiceover telling you about the hare's mating habits. Instead, you get the ambient noise of the city—sirens, hums, distant shouting—mixed with the quiet, frantic movements of the animal. It forces you to look at the environment differently. Is the hare out of place? Or are we?
The Reality of New York’s "Hidden" Wildlife
Wait, are there actually hares in Manhattan? Not really. Not in the way there are squirrels.
Usually, when New Yorkers see something "rabbit-like," it’s an escaped pet or a feral colony of domestic rabbits, like the ones that famously took over parts of Gowanus in Brooklyn a few years ago. But the European hare (Lepus europaeus) is a different beast. They are bigger, faster, and much more solitary.
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Christman’s film uses this specific creature as a metaphor for the displaced and the resilient. It’s about things that survive where they aren't "supposed" to be.
Why the 16mm Aesthetic Matters for This Story
Shooting on film in 2026 feels like a political statement. It’s expensive. It’s difficult. But for A Hare Grows in Manhattan, it was the only way to go. Digital video is too clean. It sees everything. 16mm has shadows that hide things. It has a "breathing" quality to it.
When you watch the hare move through the frame, the film grain mimics the texture of the animal's fur and the grit of the Manhattan dirt. It creates a visual bridge between the organic and the man-made.
- It captures the light differently.
- The colors are muted, leaning into the greys and browns of the city.
- It feels archival, like you're watching a secret history.
Most indie filmmakers today lean on high-def 4K cameras that make everything look like a car commercial. Christman went the opposite direction. She wanted the viewer to feel the friction of the city.
The Metaphor of the Concrete Jungle
Let’s be real: New York is a tough place to live.
The title A Hare Grows in Manhattan is a direct nod to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which is all about a young girl striving to survive and thrive in a harsh environment. The hare is the girl. The hare is the artist. The hare is anyone trying to pay $3,000 for a studio apartment while keeping their soul intact.
The film highlights the "liminal spaces"—those weird gaps in the city that aren't quite buildings and aren't quite parks. The empty lots. The spaces under the bridges. This is where the hare lives. It’s a ghost in the machine.
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Does the Film Have a Message?
It’s not preachy. That’s the best part.
It doesn't tell you to recycle or scream about climate change. It just shows you a life. It’s an observational piece. But if you look closer, it’s definitely a critique of how we’ve paved over everything. It’s about the stubborn persistence of life.
If a hare can find a way to exist between a construction site and a subway vent, maybe there’s hope for the rest of us.
Critical Reception and Where it Fits in Cinema
When it hit the festival circuit, critics were fascinated by its brevity. It’s a short film, but it lingers. It’s the kind of thing you see at the Museum of the Moving Image or a boutique theater in the Village.
Some people found it frustrating. They wanted a story. They wanted a "why."
But the "why" isn't the point. The "is" is the point. The hare is there. You are is here.
It sits in that niche category of "Urban Pastoral" filmmaking. It’s a genre that looks for the beauty in the industrial. Think of films like News from Home by Chantal Akerman. It’s about the gaze. How we look at our surroundings when we aren't in a rush to get to the office.
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Why You Should Care About This Movie Now
In an era of CGI blockbusters and AI-generated content, something like A Hare Grows in Manhattan feels like a cold glass of water. It’s real. It’s physical.
It reminds us that the city isn't just a grid of GPS coordinates. It’s a habitat.
If you're a fan of avant-garde cinema, or if you just like movies that make you feel a little bit more connected to the ground beneath your feet, this is a must-watch. It’s only about 10 minutes long, but those 10 minutes will change how you look at every alleyway you pass for the next week.
How to Find "A Hare Grows in Manhattan"
Tracking down experimental shorts isn't always easy. You won't find this on Netflix next to the latest true crime doc.
- Check the Filmmaker’s Site: Sarah J. Christman often lists her screenings and where to stream her work.
- Criterion Channel: They frequently feature NYFF shorts and experimental collections.
- Vimeo On Demand: Many indie creators host their festival hits here for a small rental fee.
- Educational Libraries: If you have access to Kanopy through a library or university, it’s a goldmine for this kind of stuff.
Actionable Insights for the Urban Observer
If this film sounds interesting to you, don't just stop at watching it. Take the "Hare" mindset into your own life.
- Slow Down your Walk: Next time you're in a city, look at the ground level. Look for the weeds growing through the cracks or the birds nesting in the scaffolding.
- Support Local Film: Go to a short film program at an independent theater. These are the creators pushing the boundaries of what movies can actually do.
- Document the Mundane: Take a photo of something "ugly" that feels alive. A vine on a chain-link fence. A puddle reflecting a neon sign.
The story of the hare isn't just about an animal. It’s about the eyes that choose to see it. It’s a reminder that even in the most crowded, loud, and expensive place on Earth, there is still room for something wild.