The tale of Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl whose escapades mesmerized New York City, is now being pieced together for an HBO documentary. In February 2023, the feathered fugitive made headlines with his daring escape from the Central Park Zoo, leading to a year of avian antics in the skies above Manhattan. Unfortunately, Flaco's flight came to a sudden end a year later when he collided with an Upper West Side building, revealed to be troubled by high levels of rat poison and a severe pigeon herpesvirus.
Director Penny Lane, known for her work in documentary filmmaking, hopes to create the definitive story of Flaco's journey. “We’re really trying to carefully capture the whole year, and then also investigate what happened before he was [in New York], learn about his family tree, learn about zoo ethics, learn about Eurasian Eagle Owls, so it’s not just the story of Flaco, but the story of all the different questions and avenues that his story opened up,” Lane told Gothamist in a phone interview. She is calling on New Yorkers to contribute their personal encounters, complete with photos and videos of the celebrated owl.
This documentary endeavor, a collaboration between HBO Documentary Films, Sandbox Films, and Spinning Nancy, isn't just content with chronicling Flaco's time on the lam. The project delves into themes extending beyond his narrative, including zoo practices and the life of his species in general. Submissions from the public will be recognized with onscreen credit and a licensing fee, offering contributors a chance to be a part of Flaco's lasting legacy.
Flaco's memory also lives in an exhibition titled “The Year of Flaco,” currently on display at the New-York Historical Society. His plight tugged on the heartstrings of residents across the borough, earning him status as an urban icon. According to a statement obtained by NY1, Lane expressed a personal connection to the owl's saga: “I’ve been deeply invested in Flaco from the instant my friend ran into him on the sidewalk on Fifth Avenue. I lost many nights of sleep worrying about him and made deep connections with a group of dedicated birders who documented his extraordinary adventures.” Those wishing to contribute to the ever-growing archive of Flaco content can do so at flacodocumentary.com.
