In late 2020, the documentary Os Mutirões da Leste 1 was released, chronicling the history of the Movimento Sem Terra Leste 1 through each of its projects. The documentary was produced and directed by Paula Constante, who describes herself as a “mother, practicing documentarian, architect, and holder of a master's degree from FAUUSP.” By telling the story of one of the most active social movements in the city of São Paulo, Constante and MST Leste 1 show us the importance of struggle, the collective, affectivity, and the responsibility we must bring to our professional practice. We had the opportunity to speak with Paula and discuss this experience.
With over 30 years of history, the Movimento Sem Terra Leste 1 has been a key player in major social housing projects in the eastern zone of São Paulo, such as the Mutirão União da Juta and the Mutirão Paulo Freire, both by Usina CTAH, as well as more recent projects nearing completion, such as Florestan Fernandes and José Maria Amaral by Ambiente Arquitetura. The movement's struggle is grounded in the constitutional right to decent housing for all Brazilian citizens, working to secure public policies and funding to build homes, while positioning self-management as a crucial tool in this struggle.
