El puerto II

"That whole stretch over there, all that was the sea," says the old Atilio Miglianelli, who used to work at the harbour, as he points to the metal contours of a petrochemical complex. He misses the time when there were still people on the beach. These days, he wouldn't dare eat the seagulls' eggs. In this series of short films, Miglianelli is one of the people who show the viewer around their home, the Argentine coastal town of Ingeniero White. This town has changed dramatically since a large petrochemical complex was built there. The contrast between the shining multimillion dollar company, the surrounding nature and the destitute neighbours could hardly be bigger. People live in deserted railway carriages or barns, steal corn and watch their children grow up among traffic noise and dangerous trains. For the camera, they reminisce about days long past.