My Architect (2003)

Director:

Nathaniel Kahn

Writer:

Nathaniel Kahn (writer)

Release Date:

12 November 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography

Tagline:

The secret life of architectural genius Louis Kahn

Plot:

Director Nathaniel Kahn searches to understand his father, noted architect Louis Kahn, who died bankrupt and alone in 1974.

Plot Keywords:

Architecture | Architect | Art Gallery | Bangladesh | Building Construction

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Edmund Bacon	...	Himself
Edwina Pattison Daniels	...	Aunt Eddie
B.V. Doshi	...	Himself
Frank O. Gehry	...	Himself
Philip Johnson	...	Himself
Louis Kahn	...	Himself (archive footage)
Nathaniel Kahn	...	Himself
Sue Ann Kahn	...	Herself
Haym Richard Katz	...	Richard Katz
Teddy Kollek	...	Himself
Harriet Pattison	...	Herself
Priscilla Pattison	...	Aunt Posie
I.M. Pei	...	Himself
Moshe Safdie	...	Himself
Robert A.M. Stern	...	Himself
Alexandra Tyng	...	Herself
Anne Tyng	...	Herself
Shamsul Wares	...	Himself

Runtime:

USA:116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:PG | Netherlands:AL | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Mt. Desert Island, Maine, USA

Company:

Louis Kahn Project Inc.

Quotes:

Louis Kahn: How accidental our existences are, really, and how full of influence by circumstance.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2004 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2004) (TV)

A Soulful Film

I saw this movie 4 times within the course of 2 weeks, and could probably have seen it 4 more times without losing interest.

To me the movie is 3 things: a story about a son's search for information about and connection with his father; the father's story, both personal and as an architect; and an homage to the father's architecture. I find the movie very rich on all accounts.

I found the son's search very moving and one I immediately connected to emotionally. The father's story is very interesting--a lot of mystery but also a lot of information, including film of the father which greatly enriches the story. And the architecture is quite wonderful and presented in a very moving way.

The movie is full of interviews, many quite wise and spiritual. A few folks present "the other side of the coin," so we get a good picture of the contradictions of Louis Kahn, his family and colleagues.

The editing and pace of the film drew me in and kept me engrossed throughout. Especially wonderful was the music.

For me this movie is like going to a concert, a museum and a spiritual event all at the same time, as well as seeing an engrossing story. A wonderful experience!