AT THE HEART OF EUROPE

COPYRIGHT : 2006
DIRECTORS : Sergio GHIZZARDI
AUTHORS : Sergio GHIZZARDI
FORMAT(S) : Digital betacam
DIFFUSION(S) : Digital betacam
DURATION : 52 minutes
DURATION 2 : 88 minutes
TYPE : documentary
VERSION(S) : English, French
PRODUCTION : Lieurac Productions, Simple Production, Domino Production, Nanook, ARTE France, RTBF.

PARTICIPATION : Centre National de la Cinématographie, Programme MEDIA de la Commission Européenne développement et diffusion, Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds

On November 17, 2004, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso became the first President of the European Commission of the 25 member states. Many consider that he has the most difficult political job in the world.

This documentary seeks to discover how much scope national governments, European members of Parliament, pressure groups and journalists give the President of the Commission. In a form of a survey, we discover step by step the mystery of power, or its absence, within the Eurocracy.
We embark on a trip into the heart of the European Union and sneak into one of its buildings, Berlaymont, the EC headquarters, where men and women have to meet the requirements of a world undergoing perpetual change. The slightest gesture is analyzed, observed, criticized, and fed to the general public. In Brussels, some 1000 journalists are accredited to the European Union, more than in Washington.

The documentary takes us into Berlaymont and down its corridors in order to comprehend how the European Commission tackles key issues that are directly affecting citizens. We finally grasp what may push the EC to make certain choices that change our everyday life and question its legitimacy.

We observe whether Europe is a technocratic industry without a true vision or, on the contrary, if it is a true human adventure, that of a few men and women ready to face the big issues of our time. The EC President and former Portuguese Prime Minister chosen by his peers to run what could be called the "Berlaymont team", is the common theme linking these various issues.

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