Watch: 6-Minute 'A Most Violent Year' Documentary Visits The Violence Of 1981

While it didn't manage to snap up any Oscar nominations, a handful of other plaudits should be more than enough to convince you to check out "A Most Violent Year." Not to mention that it's coming from J.C. Chandor, one of the most fascinating and prolific filmmakers of the moment, and comprises a cast  including Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac and David Oyelowo. But if you have seen the movie —or maybe before you see it— perhaps it's best to understand the milieu against which it takes place.

A24 has dropped a pretty nifty six-minute short documentary about New York City in the year 1981. It was the most violent year for the city on record, with more than 2100 murders. Yikes. Real New Yorkers recollect their memories of the time in this fascinating little peek into history, so give it a look.

"A Most Violent Year" is now playing.