NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — It is a full-circle moment: the world premiere of a film in Central Park Wednesday night all about a story that started in the very same place.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s going to be really cathartic for New Yorkers,” said Penny Lane, director of the new documentary “Wild Inside.”<\/p>\n
The film follows the fascinating journey around Manhattan of Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl<\/a> and highlights all who fell in love with him.<\/p>\n “I knew the film was going to end up being a chorus or mosaic because he touched so many different kinds of New Yorkers,” said Penny.<\/p>\n It was February of 2023 when the 13-year-old owl literally landed on Fifth Avenue.<\/p>\n Vandals had cut netting around his enclosure in the Central Park Zoo.<\/p>\n “I lost so many nights of sleep over this owl,” said Penny. “Every time he disappeared for a few days, I was like, ‘Is he dead? Where is he?'”<\/p>\n The film opens at the IFC Center on Friday and in more than 60 theaters nationwide next week.<\/p>\n Penny hopes her work continues to spark critical conversations, “getting people thinking about urban ecology and our responsibility to our non-human neighbors who also living here alongside us trying to survive.”<\/p>\n Penny thought it was also critical to touch on the philosophical debate that erupted after Flaco took flight.<\/p>\n There were, and still are, very strong views on the subject.<\/p>\n “Is it a tragedy of human errors?” Penny asked. “You know, not taking of an animal that was our responsibility to take care of?”<\/p>\n The odds were stacked against Flaco, who died on February 23, 2024 after colliding with a building.<\/p>\n High levels of rat poison and a virus linked to pigeons were found in his system.<\/p>\n “He symbolized resilience, hope, defying expectations and just being wild,” said Penny.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * More New York City news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a> <\/p>\n
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