"The culture of corruption is pervasive at all levels of society. Every politician and bureaucrat is expected to provide favors to a network of friends and relatives. - Bogotá Change"
When Andreas M. Daalsgard filmed "Bogotà change" in 2009, he showed how much success in local politics can be linked to the moral character of individuals. Kidnapping and killings were commonplace in Bogotà, so that it was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Drug cartels controlled both the police and the authorities and chaos was the particularity. Nevertheless, two politicians succeeded in turning Bogotá around. The first of them, Antanas Mockus from the National University of Colombia, first came to public attention when he pulled his trousers down in front of a crowd of demonstrating students. Regarded as a symbol of sincerity, he was the first independent candidate elected as Bogotá's mayor. He succeeded in reducing traffic congestion and road deaths and instilled a sense of "citizenship" in voters. He was followed by Enrique Penalosa, who continued the renewal of the city while advancing democratic principles. Penalosa oversaw the creation of a public transport network, bicycle paths, libraries in the suburbs, parks and playgrounds.
"Bogotà change" is the story of this two charismatic mayors, who, with unorthodox methods, in less than 10 years turned one of the world's most dangerous, violent and corrupt capitals into a peaceful model city populated by caring citizens. The film uncovers the ideas, philosophies and strategies that underlie the changes in Bogotá and which are now being exported to cities worldwide. Most impressive is the film’s ability to act almost as a case study of how a community and its leaders can change habits and take on corruption, violence, and the task of modernizing a city. From beginning to end, the film contains insight on how change happens.
The film was commissioned by The Danish Film Institute and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival under a film series titled “Cities on Speed" - Global visions for an urban future.
The danish director Andreas M Daalsgard, graduated from the National Film School of Denmark, is also the author of the film "The Human Scale" and in 2014 a new project will follow-up the colombian story - "Democracy".
Below you can find links to the film series "Cities on Speed":
CITIES ON SPEED: BOGOTA' CHANGE
CITIES ON SPEED: MUMBAI - TRAFFIC
CITIES ON SPEED: CAIRO - GARBAGE
CITIES ON SPEED: SHANGHAI
