2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey is a film directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is based on the story by Arthur C. Clarke. The movie was released in 1968 and revolves around a mysterious monolith that first appeared on the Earth’s surface during the Stone Age and another one on the moon’s surface during the year 2001. The monolith on the moon points toward Jupiter hence the journey to Jupiter begins and also search for extraterrestrial life begins. Kubrick suggests that humanity will surpass its machines or transcend them through cosmic awareness. Beyond its cinematic brilliance, the film prompts contemplation on conventional design limits and the impact of technology on the built environment. “2001” provides a distinctive perspective on the interplay between architecture, technology, and the future of human habitation in space, hinting at the inevitability of space architecture and the potential structures that could exist beyond Earth.
Midnight in Paris
“Midnight in Paris” is a romantic fantasy that was released in 2011 and directed by Woody Allen. Gill Pender, played by Owen Wilson is a romantic screenwriter who rekindles his desire to become a serious novelist is sent back to the Paris of the 1920s every night at midnight. While navigating through the night, Gill encounters iconic literary figures like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Gertrude Stein. Paul’s habit of prefacing every show-offy bit of data with “if I’m not mistaken” is a sign that, in the ways that count, he is. He is another classic Woody Allen type, the know-it-all pseudo-intellectual, and as such the obvious foil for Mr. Wilson’s passionate, self-deprecating schlemiel. The movie has an appealing character for its captivating depiction of the city’s architectural gems, which serve as both the backdrop and integral elements of the film’s romantic narrative.
The Human Scale
Andreas Dalsgaard’s 2012 documentary, “The Human Scale,” is an approach that takes one through the design approach of the city that was inspired by Danish architect Jan Gehl. The film challenges the conventional focus of traffic in urban planning since the 1960s, which favors the priority of people over cars. Examining cities like New York and Chongqing as case studies, the documentary showcases diverse challenges and solutions in global urban development. Through compelling cityscapes and insights from local officials and architects, the film prompts a reevaluation of design principles. The cities of New York and Chongqing serve as case studies, showcasing diverse challenges, solutions, and opportunities for urban development. Each example is portrayed through well-composed cityscapes and discussed by local officials, planners, and architects.
Koyaanisqatsi
“Koyaanisqatsi” is an experimental film directed by Gofrey Reggios, and released in 1982. The title, a hopi world translates to life out of balance or crazy life which sums up the film’s central theme. This movie is an essay narrated through movies and music. This crazy cinematic experience combines stunning visuals with a mesmerizing voice by Philip Glass that offers an exploration of the imbalance between nature, technology, and human civilization. This film expresses one simple idea. It contrasts the glory of nature with the mess made by man. Man being a messy beast, is to leave reminders of his presence all over the surface of planet Earth. This movie has powerful visual storytelling and its ability to provoke consideration about the built environment.
Metropolis
“Metropolis,” directed by Fritz Lang in 1927, is a groundbreaking science fiction film that set the standard for futuristic city depictions in the 20th century. While the movie’s plot may defy conventional logic, its intentional disjointedness emerges as a unique strength. “Metropolis” becomes hallucinatory, resembling a nightmarish experience devoid of a predictable storyline. The film’s visual expertise is a treat for the eyes. The movie depicts a divided society, with the ruling elite in high skyscrapers and oppressed workers in crowded, underground, and unhygienic conditions. This classic marked a turning point in film history, influencing how futuristic cities are visually represented in science fiction. The narrative takes place in a grand city, where two distinct realms—the privileged surface dwellers and the oppressed inhabitants of the depths—remain oblivious to each other’s existence.
Elysium
A dystopian science fiction film, Elysium is directed by Neill Blomkamp, and released in 2013. The movie is set in the year 2154 and opens up in a world devastated by disease, pollution, and overpopulation. The elites have resided as refugees on a space station named Elysium. The film follows Max Da Costa played by Matt Damon, as he embarks on a dangerous mission to Elysium that challenges the systemic inequality defining a two-tiered society. The journey from Earth to Elysium is a representation of what a person can do if he needs anything that saves his life. It is a thought-provoking portrayal of the theoretical urban design and the social implications of the architectural choices. The contrasting architectural structures of Elysium and Earth serve as a visual barrier between the elites and the struggling people. And has an impact on societal structures, inequality, and access to resources.
Source: elysium, CTMG
My Architect
“My Architect” is a documentary movie which was directed by Nathaniel Kahn that explores the personal journey of a son to understand and connect with his late father. The renowned architect Louis I. Kahn passed away in 1974 leaving behind a legacy of architectural masterpieces. During his childhood, Nathaniel had a very bad connection with his father so to revive those connections he goes on a journey to uncover the man behind architectural marvels. He interviews people who have known his father from a close and explores his famous buildings including the Salk Institute in California and the National Building of Bangladesh. The documentary explores the relationship of father and son while providing a thorough examination of Louis Kahn’s architectural philosophy and his influence on designs. It also explores the idea of influences of personal experiences, relationships, and philosophy on architecture.
Source: Nathaniel Kahn
High-Rise
In 2015, director Ben Wheatley brought J. G. Ballard’s novel to life with “High-Rise,” a science fiction film. The clever adaptation of Ballard’s once deemed ‘unfilmable’ book provides a chilling, future-retro depiction of a society divided by wealth. Within the high-rise structure, a microcosm of society unfolds, with the affluent residing in the upper levels and the less privileged occupying the lower tiers. Top of Form As the infrastructure of the tower deteriorates and tension escalates, the residents yield to the chaos which illustrates the fragile nature of human civilization and the impact of architecture on social dynamics. The nightmarish vision of a vertically stratified society, high rise serves as a cautionary tale for designers urging them to consider ethical dimensions.
Source: Magnolia Pictures
Playtime
Playtime is a visionary comedy film directed by Jacques Tati and released in 1967. The film follows the character of Monsieur Hulot as he navigates the modern Paris depicted in glass and steel. His take on modernity explores the dehumanizing effects of contemporary architecture and urban planning where the uniform structures diminish individuality and the sense of alienation. In the initial scenes, Hulot goes to an office block to meet Giffard. Entering a waiting room characterized by a vast, sterile glass enclosure emitting a foreboding electronic hum, Hulot pursues his target through a labyrinth of box-shaped office units. Tati’s head emerges in the distance, somewhere within the Mondrian-inspired geometry of the screens. Tati’s critiques of the dehumanizing aspects of modern architecture serve as a timeless reminder to consider human scale, cultural context, and the impact of designs on the well-being of the inhabitants.
Source: Specta Films
The French Dispatch
“The French Dispatch” is a Wes Anderson film released in 2021, known for its distinctive visual style and intricate storytelling. The movie unfolds as a collection of stories published in the final issue of an American magazine, set in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. Anderson’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the film’s unique aesthetic, reminiscent of a carefully crafted magazine layout. The narrative weaves together various tales, each encapsulating different aspects of art, politics, and culture. The film’s exquisite production design and architectural backdrops, ranging from the quaint to the eccentric, contribute to the overall charm and whimsy of Anderson’s cinematic world. Frances McDormand stars as ace reporter Lucinda Krementz and Timothée Chalamet as Zeffirelli, the wild-haired, chess-playing student leader in this tale of student protest. Anderson’s portrayal, marked by cutesy pastels and kitsch, reflects his hermetically sealed privilege, avoiding political nuances. Despite this, there are other aspects worth admiring.
Source: https://theasc.com/articles/the-french-dispatch
References:
The French Dispatch Review – exasperating Wes Anderson portmanteau picture (2021) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/23/the-french-dispatch-review-exasperating-wes-anderson-portmanteau-picture (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Ebert, R. (no date e) Playtime Movie Review & Film Summary (1967): Roger Ebert, Playtime movie review & film summary (1967) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-playtime-1967 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Kenny, G. (no date) High-rise movie review & film summary (2016): Roger Ebert, movie review & film summary (2016) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/high-rise-2016 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Ebert, R. (no date d) My Architect Movie Review & Film Summary (2004): Roger Ebert, movie review & film summary (2004) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/my-architect-2004 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Kenigsberg, B. (no date) Elysium Movie Review & Film Summary (2013): Roger Ebert, movie review & film summary (2013) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/elysium-2013 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Ebert, R. (no date c) Metropolis Movie Review & Film Summary (1927): Roger Ebert, movie review & film summary (1927) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-metropolis-1927 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Ebert, R. (no date b) Koyaanisqatsi Movie Review & Film Summary (1983): Roger Ebert, movie review & film summary (1983) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/koyaanisqatsi-1983 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Scheib, R. (2013) Film review: ‘the human scale’, Variety. Available at: https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-the-human-scale-1200745255/ (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Ebert, R. (no date a) 2001: A space odyssey movie review (1968): Roger Ebert, movie review (1968) | Roger Ebert. Available at: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/2001-a-space-odyssey-1968 (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
Scott, A.O. (2011) The old ennui and the lost generation, The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/movies/midnight-in-paris-by-woody-allen-with-owen-wilson-review.html (Accessed: 07 January 2024).
