A Pyramid Of Dreams - 15 minute documentary

For downloads and more information, visit: http://www.journeyman.tv/60000/short-films/a-pyramid-of-dreams.html November 2009 Dubai's glittering house of cards tumbles and markets go into free-fall. As the vast investments turn to sand, we offer five reports which illustrate the impossible dream Dubai's rulers hoped to create. "When it comes to real estate development, Dubai is building on the frontier between the incredible and the impossible," shouts Dubai's ambitious investment video, with perhaps more foresight than was intended. Recent projects include a new tallest building for the world and 1,500 miles of artificial beach front, the famous Palm Island. The apartments here were all sold on the basis of a simple 3D presentation. It was sold out in 72 hours. These films highlight not only the glitz Dubai's leaders strived for, but also the social revolution that came with it, greater equality for women and a more cosmopolitan society than seen elsewhere in the region. But will the dream soon fade, as dreams tend to do?

Comments

1. Well, this documentary is fairly dated.
   
   Since this was posted, Dubai nearly tanked due to the bursting of the economic bubble.  Because their economy is not nearly as strong and diverse as they claim, Dubai very nearly collapsed and was in danger of becoming a ghost town.  Fortunately for them, the much wealthier emirate of Abu Dhabi bailed them out by giving them a ton of money to keep them afloat and from defaulting on their loans. 
   
   Oh, and guess where Abu Dhabi's wealth comes from?  You guessed it.... Oil!
2. Dubai is a city based on the ideal that anybody can achieve their dreams, a new land of opportunity, situated in an ideal climate, strategically located in the heart of Africa, Europe, and Asia. A playland, where you can work hard, and play hard, while not having to worry about your bank account getting pilfered by tax hungry economic policies. A place closest to every major African, European, and Asian major city, and a place where you can home. A place, where liberty, freedom hasn't been compromised by special interest groups seeking to caste society into feudal system subordinates. Dubai is the new land of opportunity, with justice, freedom, and liberty for all.
3. Don't listen to these idiots. Property bubbles are a part of a thriving and healthy economy, driving middle class growth, and providing opportunities for transitional class emergencies. All these Dubai haters punish themselves by not cashing in on the system. All those bank overlords trying to oppress emerging class strata are tobacco chewing spit spewing slaves to their old world imperial cronies who are losing the battle with white capitalism. Keep Dubai the land of opportunity for everybody, and everybody will flock. Keep it lije that old world Chicago Marshall Field & Co, and it will end up a city of garbage heaps.
4. Dubai is basically a pyramid scheme + property bubble. Most of all these structures are not built with oil wealth, but rather with external financing trying to cash in on the property bubble. This was great and all until the financial crisis came, and the whole scheme collapsed. No more cash flow coming in to allow people to speculate on real estate, and the demand dried up, suddenly people realized that their piece of sand in the middle of the ocean is worthless. The value of all these projects were derived from the expectation of the appreciation of their market value, and not their real value. Classic greater fool theory. 
5. I lived in Egypt for 4 years, and Egypt has nothing on Dubai not even close!!! I dont think that Americans are jealous, yet I think they are happy for them and maybe hope to visit one day... Dont turn this into a racial/ethnic ordeal, its people like you that should shut your mouths
6. dubai suffers from over-exuberance, dubai's business model depends on upper middle class and the rich of the world visiting their city for holidays and finance despite the fact that they are essentially a huge shopping mall with no culture. They should try to target middleclass and relax their religious laws. How are they going to target honeymooners if couples can't even kiss each other.
7. bur al arab not al agab
8. This documentary is sensational and so thorough. So glad I found it. Disappointing how people can't appreciate things like this. No one complains about Disney Land or other destinations that have been around a long time. Theses people got smart with your money for long term gain
9. This is incredible!
10. A Pyramid Of Mirage 2 me..loolz
11. Fail video. Nothing to do with the title. Idiots
12. fuck america wtf is america people sleeping in streets in brooklyn and 3 millions of homeless with no foods and high number of crime
13. Arabs have a bad reputuation but not all Arabs are the same, there's some really amazing Arab countries out there ... Iraq and Syria even in times of war are in fact still beautifull places ... Only the climate is something i can't stand...
14. Look up the Dubai sewage.
15. don't speak for me...im american and im ready to go c it in person!!
16. Ha! You're the one who's fukked. And you know you're fukked that's why you posted on a comment I made 2 years ago. Get a life. I know you don't have one.
17. And fuck you too!
18. I would really love to see these places for myself and live here someday :)
19. This is Saud familys time and them who are willing to play ball with western banking system, when it collapses muslims will have their time to heal.. i hope, for it won't last long. War is better bisness than islam and every effort has been made that people don't see this. Losers? Everyone.
20. lol @ idiots who think dubai will collapse they just hate to see success to a Muslim country, a Free country, and a wealthy country