ARCHITECTON
by Victor Kossakovsky
Germany, France, USA, 2024, 98’
Monday, June 9 at 9:00 PM
Cinema La Compagnia
Free Admission
A visual symphony about architecture and its relationship with the pre-existing natural environment, about the greatness and madness of humanity, and its fragile connection with nature.
What will remain of our present for the people of the future?
Lo schermo dell’arte presents Architecton (2024), the latest film by Russian director Victor Kossakovsky, in competition at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival: an apocalyptic and poetic reflection that explores the relationship between architecture and civilization, past and present, examining the connections between humanity and nature and developing a monumental epic on the meaning of architecture in our time.
The film reveals what usually remains invisible, inviting us to look with new eyes at elements such as stone, concrete, and ruins, journeying through quarries and ancient temples—like the Temple of Baalbek in Lebanon, dating back to 60 AD—the destruction of cities in Turkey hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2023, and cities devastated by bombings in Ukraine.
Accompanying the narrative is Italian architect and designer Michele De Lucchi, with whom the director engages in a compelling dialogue on the value of beauty and the need to redefine the tools and materials with which to design the future.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Giacomo Pirazzoli, Professor of Architectural and Urban Design (DiDA, University of Florence).
The screening is part of the 10th edition of Secret Florence, a well-established festival of the Estate Fiorentina 2025promoted by the City of Florence.
Victor Kossakovsky
Victor Kossakovsky (Saint Petersburg, 1961) began his film career in 1978 at the Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) Documentary Film Studio, working as a camera assistant, assistant director, and editor. In 1992, he made his directorial debut with The Belovs, which won the VPRO Joris Ivens Award and the Audience Award at the IDFA Festival in Amsterdam. Since then, his films have received numerous accolades, solidifying his reputation in the international documentary scene.
His recent works explore the relationship between humans and nature from different perspectives, such as Gunda (2020), a meditation on animal consciousness. Architecton is the latest film in his “A Trilogy,” which also includes Vivan Las Antipodas! (2011) and Aquarela (2018)—a reflection on his vision of the world and the role of human beings within it.
Event organized on the occasion of the 10th edition of Secret Florence,
a well-established festival of the 2025 Estate Fiorentina promoted by the Municipality of Florence.
Secret Florence is produced by:
Virgilio Sieni National Production Centre
Fabbrica Europa
Lo schermo dell’arte
Musicus Concentus
Tempo Reale
