City Regeneration Through Film

Footage in the Ruins

How do screen productions, ranging from music videos shot in a decrepit former factory in London to an amateur film made in a war-torn Syrian town, generate value in ruined locations? In this NIAS talk we explore the ways in which cinema and TV productions extract value from these urban locations and the consequences for the people living here.

At the entrance you are requested to show your coronavirus pass.

This event can also be attended online.

From blockbusters to independent documentaries, many screen productions look for deserted, authentic, cheap locations to shoot their film. Devalued spaces like neighborhoods in decay and old factories – although often dangerous – fit these criteria perfectly and location professionals frequently propose them for film productions. Yet shooting film and TV series in ruined urban locations often causes a re-evaluation process of those spaces, leading, in some cases, to speculation and redevelopment. For example, the cities of Belfast and Dubrovnik where Game of Thrones was shot, and Istanbul where TV series are produced on a daily basis, have seen huge changes due to screen productions. How and where do making of film, TV and urban decay coincide? Who does this have an effect on and are there also positive changes to these developments? Using an interdisciplinary approach, this talk sheds light on the world of cinema and spatial value with Ipek Celik Rappas.

About the speakers

Ipek Celik Rappas is Associate Professor of Media and Visual Arts at Koç University, Turkey and NIAS fellow from september – january 2022. During this talk Rappas will explore how the production process of film and TV has the ability to leave people living in the areas in precarious situations.

Naluwembe Binaisa is an anthropologist and Honorary Research Fellow at University College London. In her work, Binaisa explores how photography can help us understand about the intersections of self-representation, identity and power, refuge and belonging.

Asma Mehan is an educator, urban researcher and architect. Asma has studied, taught, researched and practiced architecture in Europe, Asia and Australia. Mehan’s main research and teaching interests include architecture and urbanism, critical urban studies, urban planning, housing, and Heritage Studies.

Fenneke Wekker (moderator) is Head of Academic Affairs at NIAS. Wekker is political sociologist and writer. Her main interests lie in issues of home and belonging, inclusion and exclusion, and urban ethnography.

More speakers will soon be announced.