Residents of Douglaston, Queens, are expressing frustration as late-night filming for Bradley Cooper's new movie disrupts their lives. The production, featuring not only Cooper but also Laura Dern and Will Arnett, has led to complaints about excessive noise and obstruction from filming vehicles.
Neighbors have reported that loud generators are running until the early hours, with some staying on as late as 1 or 2 a.m. This has become a recipe for sleepless nights, as many locals find it hard to rest amidst the commotion. One long-time resident noted, "It’s not the first time there's been filming here, but this crew seems particularly inconsiderate. Everyone's just trying to go about their daily lives."
The inconveniences do not end there. Many residents have claimed that vans and production vehicles have been blocking roads and driveways for hours at a time, adding to the growing list of grievances. There is a palpable sense among the community that the late-night filming is affecting not just humans but also their pets, who are unsettled by the persistent noise.
Prior to its current location, the film was shot in Midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills, but locals in Douglaston feel that this shoot has significantly more disruptive impact. While the area frequently hosts film crews, the volume of activity connected with this particular project has been notably higher.
Cooper, who wears many hats in this production—not just acting but producing and even engaging in some camera work—described his character in the new movie while shedding light on what it entails. “I play a guy who’s an understudy actor, and he’s understudying a play called The 13 Disciples, and he’s understudying all of them,” he explained during an interview. While many aspects of the plot remain under wraps, this peek into his role has captured some interest.
Despite the buzz surrounding the film, it is undoubtedly overshadowed by the mounting frustrations within the Douglaston community. Residents are hopeful that the film will wrap up soon so the neighborhood can return to some semblance of normalcy.
Meanwhile, other headlines are also making waves this week. New York City has implemented legislation regarding composting, effective April 1, 2025. Buildings that fail to separate compost from other waste face a $300 fine. As part of a broader environmental initiative, this regulation aims to promote sustainable waste management across the city.
In another notable incident, Mahmoud Khalil, an activist detained by ICE, was moved 1,300 miles away from his pregnant wife in New Jersey to a facility in Louisiana. An ICE field office director cited a “bedbug issue” at the Newark facility for the transfer, raising concerns among activists about the treatment of detainees.
The community is also responding to the mayoral election in Sea Cliff, Long Island, where Robert Ehrlich, the founder of Pirate's Booty snacks, made headlines for trying to declare himself the rightful mayor, only to lose the actual election by a wide margin of 1,064 to 62 votes.
As the film shoot continues, eager residents of Douglaston look ahead to a respite from the noise, while city policies and activist issues create additional narratives in their lives.
