New Documentary Focuses On Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch's Time In Office

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch is the subject of a new documentary.

Filmmaker Neil Barsky directed "Koch" and said the former mayor is still a major player in the city.

"He is one of the sharpest people I know," Barsky told CBS 2's Cindy Hsu. "We should all be so lucky when we're 88 to have such an active life."

Barsky said politicians still value an endorsement from Koch, even though he left office more than 20 years ago.

"He has always strived to be relevant, particularly in the political sphere and he still is," Barsky said. "He's still in the game."

Barsky began interviewing Koch for the documentary in 2010. The film touches on his tenure in office, questions about his personal life and some rough patches Koch hit as mayor.

But Barsky said Koch should be remembered for turning around the city's morale when things seemed bleak.

The former mayor was hospitalized in December for pneumonia and the flu. In the fall, he was admitted to the hospital for anemia.

A screening of "Koch" is being held Sunday at the 22nd annual "New York Jewish Film Festival'' at Lincoln Center

The film opens on Feb. 1.

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