Asphalte Public
With a wide range of voices, from street musicians and skaters to municipal experts and politicians, Asphalte Public paints a multifaceted picture of the asphalt expanse of Place de l'Esplanade in Bienne, Switzerland.
The urban dynamics of Place de l'Esplanade
In the heart of bilingual Biel/Bienne in Switzerland lies the vast expanse of asphalt at Place de l'Esplanade. On one side stands the modern Palais des Congrès, and on the other, the Coupole. The convention center represents the organized, official side of the city, while the Coupole is an alternative music and performance venue housed in a former gasworks that is on the verge of collapse. This documentary showcases the different perspectives on this square.
Different voices on a changing square
Director Jan Buchholz gathers diverse opinions, from street musicians and skaters to municipal experts and politicians, thus painting a multifaceted picture of this urban space. Everyone has their own ideas about the use and future of the square. The discussion intensifies when the climate crisis comes into play, as the square contributes to urban warming. This leads to heated conversations among those involved.
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