TRENTON — The transformation of the Chambersburg neighborhood of Trenton has always interested filmmaker Susan Ryan.
Chambersburg was once called home by Italian immigrants seeking to start a new life, but today has a different international flavor, with residents hailing from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador and other Latin American countries.
Ryan, a film and documentary studies professor at The College of New Jersey, decided to make the ’Burg’s history the subject of her latest film, which will air Oct. 6 at 10 p.m. as part of NJTV’s NJDOCS program.
"From the 'Burg to the Barrio" is a 45-minute film that highlights the changing landscape of the city's historic "Little Italy" neighborhood to the present day, paying particular attention to the transformation of the cultural setting as the population has shifted.
NJDOCS, which is produced by Public Media NJ, Inc., features documentaries that have a Garden State connection.
Ryan spent more than seven years working with TCNJ students and co-producer Rachel Adler, an anthropology professor at TCNJ, to document the changing neighborhood of Chambersburg in Trenton in the film.
In addition to the Chambersburg documentary, Ryan also recently completed “This Trenton Life,” a documentary about a theater program for teenagers about life in Trenton.
After the film screening, Ryan and Adler will sit down for an interview and discussion about the film.
Amy Reynolds may be reached at areynolds@njtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyE_Reynolds. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.