Architect and the Old Village, The

Synopsis: Álvaro Siza Vieira, a famous visionary Portuguese architect, is called to coordinate the rehabilitation of the monuments and architectonic heritage of Cidade Velha (Old Village) in Santiago, one of the African islands of Cape Verde. This project creates great expectations among the local population, who envisage it as a way of improving their quality of life. The film explores the relationship and the conflict between these two worlds, two cultures, with different ideas of what modernity and progress mean.

The film reflects with humour the idea that tradition is a new value of the modern era, the relationship between the people of Cidade Velha and the team and finally, the role of Siza who in his calm and timid manner, manages to understand and incorporate all conflicts and questions by planning, deciding, imagining and, above all, by drawing intensively.
Language: English
Year of release: 2006
Year of production: 2003
Subjects: Anthropology; Architecture; Development studies
Keywords: Cape Verde; restoration - art and architecture; social anthropology; African culture

Name: Documentary Educational Resources
Email: docued@der.org
Web: http://der.org/ External site opens in new window
Phone: +1 617 926 0491
Fax: +1 617 926 9519
Address: 101 Morse Street
Watertown
MA 02472
USA
Notes: American company with an extensive catalogue of documentary films from around the world in the areas of ethnology, anthropology, world cultures, religion, women’s studies and human rights. Supplied on PAL/NTSC video and multi-region DVD, or download via the Reframe Collection (qv).

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