Terrible Houses in Danger

In early 1985 the senate of the city of Hamburg attempted to put an end to the occupation of houses in Hafenstraße by declaring the buildings uninhabitable. In the midst of this struggle the Medienpädagogik Zentrum Hamburg (Media Education Centre) made this video, which provides a view of the events beyond official statements and media coverage. It examines the history of the occupation since it began in 1982 and provides residents the opportunity to present their alternative life visions. At the same time the ironic juxtaposition of episodes filmed locally with footage of world events and statements made about the Hafenstraße in West German television places the building occupations in a broader political context.

MPZ Hamburg und Hafenstraße, BRD 1985, 45 min