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Renovation project of the city of Colon - The good, the bad and the ugly (2014-2019).

On November 5, 2014, the newly elected president Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez said that millions of balboas would be invested in restoration projects in the Old Town of Colón to boost tourism development and promote the historical, cultural, artisanal and artistic heritage of the town Colonense In addition, the Ministry of Housing establishes the "Renovation Project of the City of Colon" whose objectives included "the total renovation of urban infrastructure and the recovery of historic buildings or abandoned sites of national interest."

Three days after President Varela's speech, hoping that this valuable historical monumental complex would be rescued with decades of neglect, I toured the Old Town and photographed most of the buildings, walks and open spaces listed in Law No. 47 of August 8, 2002, which declares the Monumental Historic Complex of the Old Town of the city of Colón. Now, after five years of the electoral promise and concluded the management of the Government of the Alliance "The First People", I walk again the area and present images of them to contrast the progress or setbacks of the executed.

  • Jaime Massot
    Director
  • Jaime Massot Hernandez
    Writer
  • Jaime Massot Hernandez
    Producer
    None
  • Jaime Massot Hernandez
    Key Cast
    None
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Proyecto de renovación de la ciudad de Colón - Lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo (2014-2019)
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    History, documentary, Then and Now, Retro Photography, Cultural heritage, monuments conservation, promotion renovation recovery rehabilitation, development promotion sites, Historical centers, Programs projects activities, identity restoration, repair antique urban infrastructure, architecture, 1904-1920
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 17, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Panama
  • Country of Filming:
    Panama
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • None
Distribution Information
  • None
    Distributor
    Country: Panama
Director Biography - Jaime Massot

Born in Panama on November 19, 1959 with Spanish roots thru his mother Carmen Cristina Hernández Claramunt and his father Juan José Massot Pellisé.

Education in various schools in Panama (La Salle, Pedagogical Institute and Javier). Graduated as civil engineer from the Universidad Santa María La Antigua (USMA) with postgraduate studies in Hydrology (Madrid, Spain) and master's degrees in Business Administration and Sciences .

Have 40 years of employment with the Panama Canal and exercised supervisory and management functions in addition to specialized tasks such as hydrologist, industrial engineering and historical documentation.

This publication is nonprofit whose objective is the creation, promotion, development and promotion of programs, projects and activities that highlight the national identity and cultural heritage of Panama.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I remember the anecdotes of my ancestors, acquaintances and friends, of what Panama was like before and I observe how it has changed since then. I feel that the progress is not positive when one visits places where there was a historical, emblematic, representative or allegorical site and you realize that it has disappeared and one has to say “here before it was” or “I do not remember what was here” Why do they have to disappear? What are we doing to preserve the historical heritage that belongs to all Panamanians?

This publication, of which I feel very proud, not so much for the final product but for the road traveled, has allowed me to visit, admire and know places never before imagined. In addition, have the opportunity to share anecdotes, stories and tales with all those who, day by day, work to preserve our own.

I hope that among all of us who love this very dear Panama, we will be able to save, recover, restore, maintain and exalt, for this and the next generations ... all that we still have left.