The social district Nieuw Gent is located at the UZ in the Artevelde city and is undergoing a thorough renovation. Several of the gigantic residential towers are being demolished and many people have to move. "Nothing too soon," we hear from some of the residents. “There is mold in the bathroom and the elevator is full of rubbish.” Yet many people don't really want to leave. The negative way in which the neighborhood - and the people who live there - are often portrayed has hurt the people here. “Behind that red block, nobody knows it here,” says Magda. She is one of the most active volunteers in the neighborhood.' 'It's our little island'.

“People hear about this neighborhood that it is full of criminals, full of loiterers and the underprivileged. But we don't get carried away by gossip. We live here. We know what's happening, got it?' says Azeddine firmly. He is a local youth worker.

"Snapde” - which means: “Got it?" We must have heard it hundreds of times in all the months we've been recording the documentary. Gaining the trust of the people who live here is not easy. They have been disappointed so many times before. And that's why it's so important to try to understand them. Many people are afraid of the neighborhood, because they don't actually know it.

Our documentary is a story in which we give the residents a voice. It is a story of togetherness and solidarity. About creativity, unconditional effort and resilience. A story that the residents are proud of and that extends far beyond the boundaries of the neighborhood itself.

In cooperation with Stad Gent

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