RIOC Objects To Rooftop Films Outdoor Movie At Southpoint Park Because It Is Not "Family Friendly" - Are There Any Adults On Roosevelt Island?

You Tube video of Rooftop Films 2008 trailer

According to Gothamist, Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park will be the venue for one of Rooftop Films outdoor movie nights. During a Gothamist interview with Rooftop's founder Mark Elijah Rosenberg, it was announced that:

On Saturday, August 15, we’ll be hosting a screening of Greg Kohs’ documentary “Song Sung Blue,” an astonishing and uplifting documentary about two American dreamers who fought to make people happy and forget their worries by playing the music of one of America’s favorite crooners, Neil Diamond. The man himself will be in town that week, so if you aren’t going to see him at The Garden, come out and join us for Neil Diamond Karaoke, and watch this joyous film. Free on Roosevelt Island.

But hold on. Not so fast. Maybe Southpoint Park will not have movies shown there this year. RIOC President Steve Shane forwards this message from RIOC's Program Co-ordinator:

Perhaps I can clear this up. I was approached a few weeks ago by
Rooftop; I met with two of their representatives at Southpoint to see if
we might be able to accommodate two of their shows- one in August, one
in September, both shows being free to the public. They also claimed to
have Jessica Lappin's support for the endeavour.

The sticking point currently seems to be the content of the movies
they wish to show. Both nights would feature documentaries, and
apparently one is not, how should I say it, "family-friendly"? I've
been speaking with Daisy from Rooftop to get a more accurate description
and possible prescreening of the movie for us so we may be able to give
a yes or no.

Bottom line- this is another Todd P thing- NOTHING has been
scheduled, nothing has been paid for at this point in time. August 16th
is rapidly approaching and without a definite grasp of what it is
Rooftop is trying to show, I cannot proceed with the permitting process.

Needless to say, I think a Rooftop film venue at Southpoint Park would be great. I hope that one documentary not being "family friendly" is not a reason to deny Rooftop permission to use Southpoint Park as a venue for outdoor films. There are adults who live on Roosevelt Island that would prefer to see a film that is not for the "kiddies" every once in a while.

It is outrageous that a film's content is being reviewed by a RIOC employee for it's suitability to be shown on Roosevelt Island. What qualifies this person, or any other government worker, for such responsibility? RIOC should not be in the business of regulating the content of outdoor movies shown on Roosevelt Island by a private sector business or organization, particularly in a location as far from what goes for civilization on Roosevelt Island, as is Southpoint Park. There is also something called the First Amendment which, unless the films are "obscene", I believe precludes government agencies from preventing them being shown if the sole reason for doing so is the content of the film.

RIOC, allow outdoor films to return to Southpoint Park and start the permitting process with Rooftop Films!

UPDATE 4PM- RIOC President Steve Shane responds:

My views on the first amendment are not relevant. This is supposed to be
outdoor family entertainment and I do not want to get in the middle of
what constitutes an acceptable community standard.

Unfortunately, by limiting what can be seen on Roosevelt Island to "outdoor family entertainment", RIOC through the actions of NY State public employees, is getting involved in defining an "acceptable community standard" for Roosevelt Island.

UPDATE 9:40 PM - In response to my question of:

Why does an outdoor movie event at Southpoint Park have to be "family entertainment"? Is there no place for for an intelligent, adult, (non-obscene) outdoor movie not appropriate for children on Roosevelt Island?
If there is not such a place, is that setting a community standard for Roosevelt Island by RIOC.

RIOC President Shane responds:

Because there is no methodology for screening the attendees. I would have no objection to any kind of movie or other entertainment presented
indoors, duly advertised. If you can figure out how you would advise
adults as to what they may be viewing and that it may not be suitable
for their non-adult accompaniers, then we could talk. However, outdoor
movies have the aura of family entertainment on Roosevelt Island. If you
want to see other kinds of presentations, there are plenty of venues for
you. "Outrageous" seems to be a bit over the top in response.
RIOC is not setting the community standards for Roosevelt Island. If
you want to present anything in a non public setting, you or anyone else
is certainly privileged to do so.

The gate at Southpoint park certainly provides a method of screening out children or those under a certain age if a movie is not appropriate for them to see so I still don't see why RIOC needs to play the role of Nanny to adult Roosevelt Islanders.