CPH:DOX 2025 - Copan

In the heart of São Paulo stands a gigantic concrete building. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, it is a symbol of modern Brazilian architecture. The building is called Copan and it is home to over five thousand residents spread over 120,000 square metres. 

Inside Copan, an election is underway. It's time to decide who will be the building's administrator. Tensions are high as the current administrator has no intention of giving up his position of 30 years without a fight. But an election is also underway outside the building's enormous walls. Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro are vying to become Brazil's president. And Copan is a perfect microcosm for a story about power and money in a fragile democracy. 

Director Carine Wallauer is herself one of Copan’s thousands of residents, and her camera floats dreamily in and out of the apartments, observing the lives of the neighbours. ‘Copan’ is urban social realism with a touch of sci-fi, from a modern Tower of Babel in Brazil.