The 1990 film The Architects, directed by Peter Kahane, follows the story of an architect named Daniel Brenner. For most of his professional career, he has worked as an architect for the East German government building bus stops and phone booths. However, his luck changes when he is asked to design the new cultural center. Initially, for Brenner this assignment is like a dream come true, but as work begins on this project he what he thought was going to be his dream project turns out to be a nightmare. The film was initially set to begin filming in 1988. However, due to some complications filming was delayed until October 1989, just a month before the Berlin Wall fell. |
Construction is built on compromise... Building is political. We project power. Each building reflects status, like it or not... They also reflect client tastes. Architects have to fight for their rights. But they also have to compromise. Any who deny ever having made a compromise are outright liars or total ignoramuses. Don't trust anyone who claims to be uncompromising.
Themes
Nostalgia & The Past
The idea of the past plays a big role in the film. The film was released just seven months after the fall of the Berlin Wall, so memories of the old way of life were still fresh in many people’s minds.
Single-Mindedness
The film looks at this idea of single-mindedness: This can be seen both in Brenner as the film’s protagonist and in Kahane as the film’s director.
Pessimism
Pessimism also plays a big role in the film. One aspect that makes this movie difficult to watch is that as a whole it is very depressing; there is not a lot of humor at all in the film.
The idea of the past plays a big role in the film. The film was released just seven months after the fall of the Berlin Wall, so memories of the old way of life were still fresh in many people’s minds.
Single-Mindedness
The film looks at this idea of single-mindedness: This can be seen both in Brenner as the film’s protagonist and in Kahane as the film’s director.
Pessimism
Pessimism also plays a big role in the film. One aspect that makes this movie difficult to watch is that as a whole it is very depressing; there is not a lot of humor at all in the film.
The Architects can be purchased from Amazon. Kenyon students can also watch it online through Kanopy Streaming.
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