High Steel
Directed by Don Owen
Canada
13 min 47 seconds

So I was going through the NFB archives (what an AMAZING website) and came across this cool short film on Mohawk Indians who make their living as high rise steel workers in New York City. High Steel was directed by Don Owen (Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leondard Cohen) in 1965 and serves as a great look at the insanely dangerous process of erecting high rise buildings. I can’t imagine it’s done this way anymore. They’re not even wearing safety harnesses! I’ve always said that one element I love about documentaries is the fact that it’s almost as much a document of the filmmaker as it is the subject, and this is the perfect example. If you think the heights are dizzying for the workers…imagine what is must’ve been like for cameraman John Spotton! BARF. It’s a Herzogian feat.

You can check out the entire film above, in HD no less! Here’s the official synopsis found on the films page:

This short documentary offers a dizzying view of the Mohawk Indians of Kahnawake who work in Manhattan erecting the steel frames of skyscrapers. Famed for their skill in working with steel, the Mohawks demonstrate their nimble abilities in the sky. As a counterbalance, the viewer is also allowed a peek at their quieter community life on the Kahnawake Reserve, in Quebec.