In the late 1970s, the 'Big Apple' was teetering on the edge of total chaos. This scary, but uniquely beautiful period gave birth to a family of fertile music and art subcultures that would forever change the world began. This film not only documents, in detail, the evolution of New York City's fertile music and art subculture during this period, but how its collective output continues to play a prominent, driving role in the international fashion, art and music industries today. Produced by a crew with very personal experiences with the people and events of this era, Downtown Calling paints a vivid picture of New York City in its heyday via an impressive spread of rare photography and archival footage, past and present day interviews, and a continual, driving underscore of classic music of the era. Narrated by Deborah Harry.