Synopsis
Public space or a gold mine?
Who owns the city? What price does public space have? Is developer a swear word? Representatives, who do you represent? The documentary film by Benjamin Tuček follows the changes in Pavel Bém’s original zoning plan, its eventual cancellation after the 2010 autumn elections, and the creation of a new, so-called Metropolitan zoning plan.
In the film, the word “Plan” becomes a metaphor for the development of society and where it’s headed in the 21st century. The film uncovers the motivations of civic activities, the mechanisms of municipal politics, and the influence of capital on decision-making about public affairs. Despite the skepticism in society, The Plan searches for the sincerity of ideas, faith in democracy, and the existence of a vision that we could build on.
Country
Czech Republic
Producers
MILAN KUCHYNKA
Genre
Documentary
Co-producers
ČESKÁ TELEVIZE, WITH THE SUPPORT OF CZECH FILM FUND
Release Date
25. 09. 2014
Screening Formats
DCP, HD Files
Runtime
90 min
Trailer & Photogallery
Cast & Crew
Director
BENJAMIN TUČEK
Writer
BENJAMIN TUČEK
Cinematography
DAVID ČÁLEK, BENJAMIN TUČEK, NIKOLAS TUŠL
Editor
EVŽENIE BRABCOVÁ
Music
ALEFF, WWW
Sound Designer
IVAN HORÁK
About the film
The film, filmed over five years, captures the changes to the still valid zoning plan from 1999 as well as the twists in the creation of the new plan. On the example of the zoning plan of Prague, the film shows more general features of decay, corruption, and chaos, and asks about the existence of a vision for the development of the city.
“Discussions about the zoning plan were like a detonator everywhere. People usually care who builds what in front of their windows, and they ask who allowed it. ‘Developer’ seems like a swear word, but it’s good to ask who is making the rules of the game for developers. Many city districts are already full of experienced opposition, which may be preparing to take over the administration of public affairs in this very election. That’s why we planned for the film to premiere right before the Prague municipal elections,” says director Benjamin Tuček.
The filming of the screenwriter and director Tuček began in 2009. The filmmaker was interested in the fact that over 18,000 citizens objected to the concept of the new zoning plan, which the Prague municipality, led by Pavel Bém, had been working on since 2008. “I caught my interest. In our country, is not usual to demonstrate against a bill. The elections in 2010 changed the distribution of forces, Bém’s plan ended up in the trash, and the coalition of ODS and TOP09, led by the then mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, started working on the so-called Metropolitan Plan of Prague on the initiative of Tomáš Hudeček, the current mayor. In a country where, after every election, a new political set wants to leave its original mark on the face of the city, the story of the plan seems de facto endless,” adds Tuček.