“Who are we, how do we live, and where are we going as a species? And can we even do a damn thing about it?”
Directed by Andreas M. Dalsgaard, the film questions our assumptions about modernity, exploring what happens when we put people at the centre of our planning. Inspired by the Danish architect and professor Jan Gehl, who has studied human behaviour and argues for a rebuilding of a city that takes into account human inclusion and intimacy, THE HUMAN SCALE meets thinkers, architects and urban planners across the globe for their observations and input, providing possible solutions.
“I am interested in people. I am interested in the way we organize ourselves in society. How we work, sleep, make love, fight or talk. I am interested in the constructions behind the way we live our lives. What makes us happy? What makes us sad and depressed? What makes us choose to buy two cars, rather than a raft? What is our human nature, and can we improve our lives? With ‘The Human Scale’ I want to portray the way we live in cities today, and how our social nature and habits are connected to the physical habitat we live in. The human being within the built environment, so to speak. The Danish architect Jan Gehl and the people inspired by him work with people rather than buildings. The space between the buildings, as they call it… Architectural films usually focus on the bricks and mortar. They are beautiful and aesthetic depictions of the work of great architects. But they are also dead. I wanted this film to make the human being visible, as a creature within it’s habitat. Within bricks and mortar. I wanted to create a kaleidoscopic image and sound scape, where the audience can participate in a sort of meditation on modern life.” – Andreas M. Dalsgaard
