“The House Next Door” delves into the devastating effects of the foreclosure crisis on Northeast Ohio, focusing on the neighborhoods of Slavic Village and East Cleveland – the epicenters of this man-made disaster. The film exposes the many culpable parties, including mortgage brokers, uninformed buyers, unscrupulous sellers inflating property prices, appraisers turning a blind eye, mortgage bankers chasing profits, and Wall Street’s involvement. Despite the widespread misconduct, very few faced legal consequences, with only a handful of small-time property brokers in places like Cleveland being jailed.
Documentary Highlights
The film, written, directed, and produced by John P. Vourlis, examines:
- The roots of the foreclosure crisis
- Why Cleveland was hit so hard
- The city’s efforts to clean up the mess
- The crucial question: Could this nightmare happen again?
Featured Individuals
The documentary features insights from:
- Barbara Anderson
- Bill Behrens
- Tony Brancatelli
- Ron Byrd
- Marc Dann
- Frank Ford
- Gus Frangos
- Norman Lange
- Ivan Lee
- Blaine Murphy
- Tim Petti
- James Rokakis
- Marc Stefanski
- Charles Stimac
A Personal Perspective
“I wanted to create a film that was informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking; a film that would open people’s eyes to the devastation that the foreclosure crisis brought to the city I love and call home, and to the incredible resilience the city showed in the face of an economic catastrophe that nearly destroyed it,” said filmmaker John Vourlis. “More importantly, I wanted to tell this story through the eyes of the people at ground zero, those most directly affected by the tidal wave of foreclosures. It’s their stories that compelled me to examine a key historical event in American history from a deeply personal perspective.”
The House Next Door Release Details
“The House Next Door” will be available for digital purchase and rental starting July 16, 2024. Don’t miss this compelling documentary that sheds light on the foreclosure crisis and the resilience of a city that fought to overcome it.
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire “The House Next Door” directly with the filmmakers and Sean Pope and Tiffany Boyle of Ramo Law. For more information and updates, visit Freestyle Digital Media.