A Place in the City is a feature-length documentary exploring hope, resistance, and collective action in Latin American cities. Written and directed by Dr Gabriel Silvestre (Newcastle University), the film delves into the enduring influence of philosopher Henri Lefebvre’s revolutionary ideas on the “right to the city.” Through the lens of communities in Santiago (Chile), Rosario (Argentina), and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), it reveals how ordinary people are reclaiming urban space, fighting for their rights while actively shaping more inclusive neighbourhoods. The film showcases inspiring stories of community strength and collective action.
Blending academic insight with lived experience, A Place in the City captures the power of grassroots movements to imagine alternative urban futures. Through personal stories of struggle and resilience, the film invites audiences to reflect on how urban life can be collectively redefined from below, foregrounding the everyday acts of organising, designing, and care that sustain social transformation.
The documentary is part of a research project that examines how social movements, grassroots coalitions, and urban researchers are collectively redefining the right to the city, demonstrating that just urban futures are not only imagined, but actively built through cooperation, creativity, and care
[Tickets are free-of-charge. Please book your spot in advance.]