Secret Mall Apartment: 8 Artists' 4-Year Undetected Life in Providence Mall

The Genesis of the Secret Mall Apartment

• 💡 In 2003, a group of 8 Rhode Island artists created a secret apartment within the Providence Place Mall.
• 🎯 This audacious act was a form of protest against gentrification and the mall's demolition of a local area.
• 🔑 The main instigator, Michael Townsend, a renowned tape artist, conceived the idea to make a stand against the mall's development.

Life Inside the Mall

• 🏠 The artists lived undetected in the mall for four years, documenting their entire experience.
• 🎭 Their hidden space, approximately 700 square feet, was in a secluded, hard-to-find area of the building, requiring them to navigate through difficult passages.
• 🎨 While living in the mall, the artists also dedicated themselves to voluntary charity work, creating art for hospitals, cancer wards, and memorializing 9/11 victims.

The Documentary's Perspective

• 🎬 Director Jeremy Workman discovered the story through Townsend in Athens, Greece, and was compelled by the unique blend of art, protest, and unexpected wholesomeness.
• 🌟 The film, "Secret Mall Apartment," has received critical acclaim, achieving 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
• 🧩 The documentary explores the blurring lines between art and life, with Townsend suggesting there is no distinct separation.

Unveiling the Story

• 🗣️ Initially, the artists, including Townsend (also known as "Mister Tape Man"), were hesitant to share their story, having declined numerous documentary and film proposals over the years.
• 🤝 Workman gained their trust by focusing on the story's connection to Providence and its larger context, convincing them to finally speak out.
• 🎬 The film's theatrical release intentionally opened in the Providence Place Mall, allowing audiences to experience the story in the very location where it unfolded, creating a full-circle moment.
• 🌟 Executive Producer Jesse Eisenberg also champions the film, participating in Q&As and appreciating its independent spirit and theatrical experience.