Kristof Vadino
Mumbai Big Monster City of Dreams
Mumbai, the economic and financial heart of India is a monster. One can perceive it as a living organism sucking up energy from all the people who make this 12,4 million city. From far away people come to Mumbai with their dream. To make a better living, become more independant, get higher status, feel a sense of freedom and last but not least get in love. The monster city generates dreams and dreams come true. But they aso fall apart on footpaths, in corruption schemes, in slums, in rehabilitation projects, in traffic jams. Luckily the inventivity of the inhabitants is glorious. You have smart survivors, handy entrepreneurs and also croocked money makers. The sea can wave away all the frustrations for a moment. But the sea is rising. And rains are more and more harsh. Floods, heat waves, blackouts, blocked roads, deads due to climate change are growing. How can this monster city of dreams survive? I want to tell the stories of the people who make this crazy place. And convey a sense of its stenght and weakness. This ongoing project goes to five star and no star slums, rich business men, crapped train wagons, Ganesh festivals, Bollywood dreams, fishermen and flamingo's and so much more. This monster city is endless in it's scope and soul. Going on.
