Gangs of New York is a 2002 American fictional historical drama set in the mid-19th century in the Five Points district of Lower Manhattan. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian, and Kenneth Lonergan, inspired by Herbert Asbury's 1928 non-fiction book, "The Gangs of New York". It was made in Cinecittà, Rome, distributed by Miramax Films and nominated for numerous awards, including numerous Academy Awards.