It is a 2006 documentary directed by John Dias
The operations of the SAAL (outpatient service support local) was a technical support service directed to the deprived populations living in slums and huts, which promoted the construction of housing developed by teams architects and engineers, who were subsequently built by the population themselves. This revolutionary initiative arises during the first provisional government after April 25th, outlined by the then Secretary of State for Housing and Urban Development, the architect Nuno Portas. The documentary explains the whole process of SAAL, through its various stakeholders, from architects, engineers, residents and politicians, all explain their personal view, about the impact of this initiative had, unprecedented in Europe, on their lives. It's a very interesting story, because it focuses several secondary aspects, but no less important, of this period of Portuguese history, popular meetings where everyone could speak publicly without fear of reprisal, the more active role of women in society and a certain chaos inherent in a new society that was under construction. It is an excellent example of how unity becomes a strength literally, though, and once again, how the constant power struggles and covert interests "helped" to stop the SAAL definitely. The director traces, in temporal terms, the various stages of this process and makes a trip by some of the most successful projects to the present day, and this path leaves many questions still unanswered. In my view, it is important document for current and future generations of Portuguese, because it depicts a whole draft of an innovative social housing project, which in most cases was very successful. Have a nice movie!
