Megacities (1998)

A look at the people who live precariously, but with an unusual level of resourcefulness and imagination, in four gigantic urban agglomerations: Mumbai, New York City, Moscow and Mexico City.

Director:

Michael Glawogger

Writer:

Michael Glawogger

5 wins.

Storyline

This documentary deals with work, poverty, violence, love and sex. A film about human beauty in twelve chapters which tells the tales of people from Bombay, Mexico City, Moscow and New York, who are all struggling for survival, with ingenuity, intelligence and dignity. They all share the dream of a better life.

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Plot Keywords:

radio disc jockey | poverty | female full frontal nudity | female nudity | stripper | 

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Taglines:

12 Geschichten vom Überleben

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Quotes

opening text overlay: And perhaps in abodes of poverty, where health, learning, shelter and security are not birthrights, the soul is not a birthright, either. - William T. Vollmann

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Connections

Edited into Life in Loops (A Megacities RMX) (2006)

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Soundtracks

Prélude of 'Drei Duetten'
Written by Dmitri Shostakovich
Performed by Klangforum Wien: Anette Bik, Gunde Jäch-Micko, Florian Müller
Recorded on 30. 5. 1998 in the Wiener Konzerthaus
Courtesy of Universial Edition A.G.

User Reviews

Mondo Cane is back!!!

After reading the other comments and reviews I have been expecting something like Kooyanisquatsi, Powaquatsi or Baraka, and I think that might have been the intention or ambition of the filmmaker. But, oh my, he failed big time. This is exploitation all the way. It´s completely staged and directed, and it suits itself by showing images of violence poverty and selfdegradation. He never comes even close to the real issues of Megacities in our time ( so he leaves out Tokyo for example- not enough poverty and crime there, I think). It reminded me fatally of the Italian exploitative documentaries of the 60s ( for example Mondo Cane by Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi, who also staged everything they depicted in their films). So even his approach is not at all new or original. And like the Italians he seems to look down on people in a way you might call fascist, but everyone should judge for himself. So, if you watch it, do not take it too seriously. It´s not worth it, at all!!

Details

Country:

Austria Switzerland

Language:

Hindi English Russian Spanish

Release Date:

8 January 1999 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Megamiasta

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fama Film AG, Lotus Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color