You might have often seen magnificent architecture depicted in films. Many movies showcase a stunning backdrop of decor that inspires many. Cinema and architecture share a very old history. If you are an architecture lover or a design enthusiast, you must watch certain movies that show this correlation.
In this list of movies for architecture lovers, we have put together some great works. They showcase the link between the constructed world and the big screen.
1. My Architect: A Son’s Journey
It is a film about Louis Kahn, the American architect, by his son. Nathaniel Kahn details the great career of his father and his legacy after he passed away in 1974. He begins with a sketch of his father’s origins and what made his face pock-marked. He also showcases Loui’s early migration to the US.
Nathaniel looks at all the significant locations and people in his father’s life. He also visits important architects and ‘interviews’ great buildings. This fascinating movie will deeply touch any viewer.
2. 24 City
Directed by JIA Zhangke, this is one of the must-watch movies for architecture lovers. Set in Chengdu, it shows how the place is demolished for the construction of a high-rise complex. The film goes like a documentary. The director interviews people associated with the factory. It reflects on their personal life in the backdrop of the Chinese socio-political upheavals. It’s a must-watch film for every architect. The movie shows the perils brought about by modern architecture.
3. Archiculture Documentary
It’s a 25-minute-long documentary that looks at the architectural studio. This movie offers a glimpse into the domain of design education based in a studio. Viewers get this glimpse through the eyes of the final-year design students. The movie consists of many interviews with various educators and historians. This, in turn, helps in the creation of the discussion around the important issues faced by this teaching method.
Besides this film, the filmmakers also shot many other interviews. These did not make it to the film. So, they have been released as separate videos. These 34 videos include interviews with the design field’s leading academics. They also include interviews with technologists, environmentalists, and scientists.
4. The Fountainhead
This 1949 movie is the work of Henry Blanke and King Vidor, the director. It comes on the list of the best movies for architecture lovers as it is based on a 1943 novel by the same name. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand was a best-selling novel. It follows the story of Howard Roark.
He is a young architect who rises against accepted standards. Rand wrote the screenplay for the movie and sent the message through the movie perfectly. This well-directed movie is replete with stunning sets and designs. It shows the struggle of a person against society. The movie has impressive dialogues on idealism and values.
5. L’Inhumaine Science Fiction Film
L’Inhumaine means ‘the inhuman woman.’ It is the name of a French science-drama film by Marcel L’Herbier. It was made as a preview for the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. This movie is about Claire Lescot, the femme fatale whom every notable figure desires. The film’s plot was a melodrama with many elements of fantasy.
However, the director’s interest was always in presenting the film as ‘a miscellany of modern art.’ That is why, many contributors enriched the film with their creative styles.
The architect Robert Mallet-Stevens worked on the film’s scenography. Many other renowned architects worked on the film’s set. These include Fernand Leger and Alberto Cavalcanti. It made the film a masterpiece of contemporary art.
6. Visual Acoustics
Visual Acoustics is one of the great movies for architectural lovers that celebrates Julius Shulman. Shulman was one of the greatest architectural photographers. His pioneering work pushed the modern design into the US mainstream. Shulman’s iconic images molded the careers of many great architects. They thrived in the 20th century. His photos defined modernism for everyone.
Visual Acoustics is produced by Eric Bricker and Babette Zilch. This absorbing film assembles a bricolage of vintage 20th-century footage. It combines it with material from a doc created in the early part of the 20th century. During this time, Shulman was in his 90s. The narration of this film spins off interesting tangents. It talks about everything related to design. These include urban planning and modernist architecture.
7. The Belly of an Architect
This movie centers around Stourley Kracklite, an American architect. He comes to Rome with Louisa Kracklite, his wife, to host an exhibition. This event is in honor of Etienne Louis Boullee, an 18th-century French architect. It is a must-watch for designers wanting to know a utopian Rome. It sheds light on the relationship of the city and its monuments.
Stream All These Great Movies for Architecture Lovers for Free
The movies above deeply touch the soul as they dwell on the varied aspects of architecture. You can enjoy them without spending a dollar in the comfort of your home. Here’s a list of the best sites that let you stream movies online for free.
- MoviesJoy – This site lets you watch the latest shows and movies. You can also stream movies based on their ratings on IMDb.
- FMovies – This site has content neatly organized into different categories. You can stream movies of your choice without downloading them.
- Lookmovie – It provides high-quality content across many genres. You can locate a movie through its user-friendly interface. Also, you can sort movies through video quality and IMDb ratings.
- YesMovies – This site provides movies in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean in HD quality. Besides, you can find movies from India and the US.
Concluding Words
These movies for architectural lovers will make you see design in a new light. You will be amazed at how they capture the varying facets of this domain. This list has films that focus on architecture’s crucial role in moviemaking. Use any of the websites above to stream your preferred film for free.
