*these movies are shown together and run 58 minutes each

Mumbai Disconnected

I only knew two things about Mumbai before this documentary: one, it was another of India's overcrowded mega-cities, and two, the city had at one time been known as Bombay. Only the first is relevant to this documentary which perfectly illustrates the massive traffic knots and commuter horrors of a city too small for its citizens, and the two extreme solutions in constant, stagnant conflict: get cars off the road and build better public transit, or just build more, bigger roads. In the middle is average joe, who works out in order to battle the commuter masses, and finally caves to big-city prestige and buys a car neither he nor the city can afford.

Bogotá Change

In 8 years, Bogotá's murder rate dropped 70%, traffic deaths dropped 50%, parks were created, slums were cleaned up, and 95% of households received running water. This amazing feat was the vision and result of two mayors, one who made the citizens of Bogotá care about the citizens of Bogotá--traffic mimes? seriously?--and another who made it a city to live in, not just survive. Impressive and inspiring--why can't we affect change like that, that fast?

SCREENINGS:

Wed, Oct 6th 1:00pm @ Pacific Cinematheque

Fri, Oct 8th 9:30pm @ Vancity Theatre