The Tower, a new, epic, observational documentary which has been filmed over three years, charts the urban regeneration of the notoriously troubled Pepys Estate in South London. A property developer is turning a dilapidated former council high-rise into luxury riverside apartments and another is being demolished and rebuilt for public sector workers. The changes are happening under the gaze of those still living in the original local authority houses next door.
The experiences and opinions of those still living on the estate, and those moving into the chic new homes, capture a key period of transition in contemporary London. The glittering tower of Canary Wharf looms large over the riverside location and the economic ripples it creates, along with a booming economy, have brought an affluent generation to the neighbourhood in search of views of the Thames and an easy commute to the office. Property prices are simply too high for those who are from the area to buy a house there.
The series features poignant portrayals of residents including Leol, a heroin addict, and his friend Nicky, an alcoholic, who met in a skip where they were collecting scrap metal to sell; Edith, mother of six children and heavily pregnant, who lives virtually alone in Dickensian conditions amongst rats and burst water pipes in the block to be demolished; young parents Kelly and Wayne, who are looking forward to their marriage; and Doug, who runs the local boozer, The John Evelyn. Doug hopes it will attract the fashionable new clientele, but the locals describe it as "God's waiting room".
can anyone tell me the name of thetheme tune for this show
August 25th, 2008 - 12:30pmRobert Davies said...
The Tower was one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Does anyone know If it's out on DVD/ how I might be able to watch it again? (I don't get UKTV people)
Add a comment