Flushing Meadows Park has been represented in various ways in the media, including both its early history as an ash dump and as it is now.
1. Reference in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In his book, Fitzgerald refers to the Valley of Ashes”. This is understood to be what is now Flushing Meadows Park, since it was originally an ash dump. he writes “This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of ash-grey men, who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. Occasionally a line of grey cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak, and comes to rest, and immediately the ash-grey men swarm up with leaden spades and stir up an impenetrable cloud, which screens their obscure operations from your sight. … The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and, when the drawbridge is up to let barges through, the passengers on waiting trains can stare at the dismal scene for as long as half an hour.”
This is a clip from the 1974 production of The Great Gatsby, directed by Jack Clayton.
2. Men in Black (1997), directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
This film doesn’t necessarily depict the structure as culturally significant to the park as a symbol of diversity and peace, but it certainly does emphasize the futuristic qualities of the structure. The themed architecture of the two towers and the pavilion were created to give people hope for a brighter and more advanced future following a few rough patches in the 60s. In a sense, this movie somewhat strangely fulfills the prophecy of prosperity set during the original World’s Fair, and therefore supports the advancements brought on by cultural togetherness.
3. Chop Shop (2007), directed by Ramin Bahrani
In this movie, the area around Flushing Meadows Park and Citi Field is shown as a rough place where it is hard to get ahead. This is referencing the sectioning off that is present in Queens, as the movie is depicting a primarily Hispanic neighborhood. As they pass by unassuming bystanders and passing cars, the viewer gets the sense that their struggle is isolated to the neighborhood in which they live.
4. The King of Queens (1998-2007), created by David Litt and Michael J. Weithorn
This intro for the show King of Queens was created to make the viewer feel that their is a sense of community in Queens. The main characters come off as very average in both appearance and lifestyle. Many shows are developed around main characters with unattainable qualities and achievements, but in this show a relationship is created in which a huge audience pool of people who are imperfect and just trying to make it from one day to the next can identify with the main couple. In this way they represent Queens, and how it is a place for regular, hardworking individuals can create a life for themselves. This premise is not lost on any ethnicity, nationality, or any other division of people. This inclusiveness of all peoples creates the perception of diversity and cohabitation.
