When Covid-19 hit New York City in 2020, filmmaker Matthew Heineman gained unique access to one of New York’s hardest-hit hospital systems. The resulting film focuses on the doctors, nurses, and patients on the frontlines during the “first wave” from March to June 2020. Their distinct storylines each serve as a microcosm to understand how the city persevered through the worst pandemic in a century
Directed by Matthew Heineman
new york city
quarantine
ambulance
hospital
doctor
pandemic
black lives matter
covid-19
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.7 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Andrew Cuomo
Self (archive footage)
Al Sharpton
Self (archive footage)
Crew
Matthew Heineman
Director
H. Scott Salinas
Original Music Composer
Jon Batiste
Original Music Composer
Matthew Heineman
Editor
Matthew Heineman
Director of Photography
Thorsten Thielow
Director of Photography
Jeff Skoll
Executive Producer
Matthew Heineman
Producer
Alex Gibney
Executive Producer
Maiken Baird
Executive Producer
Ross McDonnell
Co-Producer
Ross McDonnell
Cinematography
Popular Reviews
12 reviews
caroline emery
10.0★ · 07/30/25
i can say this is one of the best docs i’ve ever seen. these are real heroes
i can say this is one of the best docs i’ve ever seen. these are real heroes
Dustin Franklin
8.0★ · 02/15/25
Absolutely insane that I’ve lived through 9/11, COVID, January 6th, OJ, and so many other wild events.
Absolutely insane that I’ve lived through 9/11, COVID, January 6th, OJ, and so many other wild events.
PEMCMILL
10.0★ · 01/21/22
Potentially the most traumatic and incredible documentary I’ve watched in recent years.
Potentially the most traumatic and incredible documentary I’ve watched in recent years.
Adam
10.0★ · 01/18/22
So personal and emotional. I cried so many times, but I am not watching this again anytime soon.
So personal and emotional. I cried so many times, but I am not watching this again anytime soon.