All of Us and the Silo

On the harbour of the small town of Stubbekøbing on the island of Falster in Denmark, stands an abandoned grain silo that has divided the town for years. Some see an ugly relic of the past; others see possibilities for the future. When a group of artists and cultural entrepreneurs propose transforming the silo into a cultural and artistic landmark rather than tearing it down, a debate emerges about competing dreams for the town's future - and about what art really is, and who it is for. All of Us and the Silo is a warm and quietly humorous documentary about community, change, and the courage to see something new in the old. The film follows how creative spirits - each with their own voice and from their own vantage point - try to breathe life into a town where empty shops and big visions exist side by side, and where contemporary art opens up a new way of looking at what growth and value really mean. It is a story about art, life, the countryside and the town - and about the places long labelled "the outskirts of Denmark," now fighting for the right to define themselves anew. The film introduces a cast of distinct personalities. There is Leif, the retired master baker, who looks sceptically at the silo project and describes himself as utterly unimaginative and entirely uninterested in art. There is Oliver, a culture journalist working to bridge the gap between contemporary art and the townspeople. Bjørn, a retired building engineer and outspoken critic, keeps a sharp eye on the realism of the project, while Berlin-based architect Terese fights to bring the vision to life in a safe and professional way.
At the same time, the young couple Sif and Gustav represent a new generation trying to create life, community and a future in the small harbour town, while Jørgen, the retired chief engineer, appoints himself ambassador for the silo project and cycles through town on his cargo bike, decorated with information boards about the silo. And even the otherwise critical and pragmatic baker turns out, despite himself, to have both an artistic streak and creative dreams of his own. Together, the film's participants paint a nuanced portrait of a town in transition.