Slums: Cities of Tomorrow

Slums: Cities of Tomorrow is an eye-opening and thought-provoking documentary from the year 2013, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Jean-Nicolas Orhon. This powerful piece of work features the insightful perspectives of notable individuals such as Robert Neuwirth - a renowned American writer known for his focus on urban issues and informal economy, Brit author and social commentator Jeremy Seabrook, and Nicolas Reeves, a highly respected professor of urban design in Montreal.

Slums: Cities of Tomorrow primarily revolves around four major cities - Mumbai in India, Rabat-Salé, a twin city in Morocco, Paris in France, and New Jersey in the United States of America. It takes the audience on an intimate tour of these select geographies to investigate the realities of those places that are often regarded as dark pits of poverty, crime and squalor – the slums.

Rather than subscribing to a standard narrative format, Orhon chooses to use a collage of captivating visuals, supported by insightful interviews and narrations from inhabitants, experts and activists. This captivating documentary delves deep into the heart of some of the world’s most densely populated communities, but instead of merely peeking through a pessimistic lens, it aspires to bring forth a unique paradoxical perspective on the urban sprawl.

The film challenges the notion of slums being a symbol of despair and deprivation. It paints a picture of resilience, endeavour and creativity of undaunted human spirits flourishing even in adversity and portrays the slums as hotbeds of ingenuity and dynamism where a hustle and a sense of community is part and parcel of daily life. This documentary presents a vivid contrast of how these urban settlements continue to evolve amidst the mega-cities and high-rises.

As you journey through the film, you witness the narrow lanes of Mumbai's Dharavi, where a multiplicity of cottage industries thrive alongside cramped living quarters; the low-income neighbourhoods of New Jersey, where communities strive to enhance their environment against economic odds and racial disparities; the shanty towns of Rabat-Salé, standing tall against the march of modern urban development; and the squatters' settlements in the underbelly of Paris, a city often synonymous with elegance and sophistication.

Though the film clearly acknowledges the difficulties and challenges in these areas, such as poor sanitation, overpopulation and lack of basic services, it emphasizes more on the positive aspects. It aims to highlight the tenacity and courage of slum dwellers in creating new solutions for survival.

Slums: Cities of Tomorrow features interviews of experts from various fields, including Robert Neuwirth, who coined the term 'squatter city'. Neuwirth and others discuss the social, economic and architectural aspects of these sprawling neighbourhoods, and the necessity for urban planners to engage with these inevitable offshoots of modern urbanisation.

This documentary undeniably excels at focusing on the everyday lives of slum inhabitants. The intimate and almost casual shots of day-to-day activities add a touch of relatability that many documentaries lack. Children playing in the streets, women cooking meals, men heading to work, and a community coming together to problem-solve when facing adversity - these elements inject a sense of vitality and get you invested in their lives.

The film draws your attention towards the fact that the slums are not just an isolated phenomenon but are an integral part of modern urbanisation. Despite the hardships, they are filled with aspirational individuals actively participating in economies and contributing to the urban development of cities.

Slums: Cities of Tomorrow could be seen as a plea for societal introspection and a call for more inclusive planning. The documentary does not romanticize the negative aspects of life in slums, but rather exposes the viewers to the human potential hidden in these unsung quarters and questions the mainstream narratives surrounding them.

In conclusion, Slums: Cities of Tomorrow is a significant cinematic contribution to the dialogue on urbanization, poverty, and resilience. It poses imperative questions about urban development, poverty, societal structure, and the role of informal settlements in shaping the cities of the future. This groundbreaking movie provides viewers with a deeper understanding of humanity’s ability to adapt and flourish, even under the most challenging circumstances. You will walk away from this film with a renewed perspective on what it means to live, survive and hope in a world that is continuously evolving.

This documentary is truly a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics of urbanization, sociology as well as for those keen on expanding their perspectives on the resilience of the human spirit.