“Vertical City” (2011) by Avijit Mukul Kishore

The film lets the viewer experience the living conditions of places hidden away in a 21st century metropolis

‘Vertical Limit’ tells the story of stark inequality and injustice – concepts that are not unique in or to our country. Yet, the film turns these familiar concepts into an experiential and uncomfortable journey for an assumedly jaded and desensitized audience.

The camera explores these high-rise building which were designed for the poor to live in. There is a lift but it has never worked. There is water but it doesn’t go up the building. We see how the young and the old struggle to live in these spaces. They have been uprooted and displaced by the government and yet live under a constant threat of eviction. This visual diary of everyday existence is juxtaposed with voices, presumably of experts, activists and others, explaining different aspects of the problem. It is interesting to note how none of these voices appear on screen – there are no names or designations.

Clearly, the filmmaker’s intention is to keep the lens focused solely on the residents of these tenements, especially the children. The innocence and resilience of these children is a strong visual layer in the film. Children symbolize hope. But hope is nowhere to be found in this bleak world that they inhabit. Using their persistent presence is a clever way to make this story more complex and compelling.