Peering up at Bâtiment 5, one might wonder about the stories held within its walls. It is more than just a building. It’s a stage for human dramas.
Bâtiment 5 is closely linked to a film by Ladj Ly. The film explores themes of urban renewal and community displacement. It highlights the struggles of residents facing demolition of their homes.
The film Bâtiment 5 tells the story of Haby. She is a young woman deeply involved in her community. She discovers a new redevelopment plan for her neighborhood. Pierre Forges, a young pediatrician turned mayor, secretly leads the plan. It involves demolishing the building where Haby grew up.
Haby and her loved ones launch a fight against the municipality. They want to prevent the destruction of Bâtiment 5. Ladj Ly himself grew up in a building like Bâtiment 5. He witnessed the impact of urban renewal on local populations.
The film features Anta Diaw as Haby and Alexis Manenti as Pierre Forges. Aristote Luyindula and Steve Tientcheu also star in Bâtiment 5. The film runs for 1 hour and 41 minutes. It was released in France on December 6, 2023.
Some critics have described Bâtiment 5 as more of a documentary. They say it illustrates the consequences of injustice and corruption. This injustice can lead to anger and violence.
Bâtiment 5 is also associated with astronomical observation. Specifically, it is linked to the Table Équatoriale at the Observatoire de Paris in Meudon. The Table Équatoriale is housed in a dome built in the 1930s. The dome’s interior has a diameter of 10 meters. It features a rotating floor for accessing instruments.
The Table Équatoriale itself is a German equatorial mount. It supports a large perforated disk. Various instruments can be attached for testing or observation. Notable observations from the Table Équatoriale include novae and comets. In 1934, the Nova Herculis was observed. The comets Pletier, Kaho, and Finsler were also tracked.
From 1960, a Schmidt telescope was installed. It was used to monitor 1500 galaxies for supernovae. Later, a Cassegrain telescope was added. Today, students use this telescope for experiments in stellar imaging.
The Table Équatoriale is also connected to Adrien Poncet. He invented the Poncet platform in the 1970s. This device adds equatorial tracking to telescopes. It allows them to follow the stars’ apparent motion.
Bâtiment 5 represents a nexus of social commentary and scientific exploration. It reminds us that buildings can be both homes and observatories. They reflect our struggles and our aspirations. They stand as testaments to human resilience.