Civic Design Center Films / Video



	FILM / VIDEO
	THE SOCIALIST, THE ARCHITECT AND THE TWISTED TOWER Directed by Frerik Gertten 2005 (59 minutes) The Socialist, the Architect and the Twisted Tower chronicles the intriguing (and twisted) story behind the design and construction of the “Turning Torso,” Europe’s tallest residential building, designed by world famous architect Santiago Calatrava. In Malmo, Sweden, Santiago Calatrava’s “Turning Torso” is being built, a 624 foot-high residential building which uses nine five-story cubes that twist as they rise, with the top-most segment turned a complete ninety degrees clockwise from the ground floor. It is a spectacular structure and an even more spectacular project ridded with skyrocketing costs, outsized egos, and at its heart, a debate between new capitalism and old socialist ideals. For Calatrava, known primarily for public works (such as the Athens Olympic complex and the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub), it is an opportunity to design his first skyscraper. For the city of Malmo, and particularly for Johnny Orback, Board Chairman of the Malmo branch of the co-operative housing association (HSB), an organization rooted in the Swedish welfare tradition, it is a chance to become a European city of the 21st century, an example of a modern international metropolis with a fitting architectural monument at its center. For both men, there is plenty at stake. But as the project progresses, numerous problems come to the forefront. Costs are beginning to run wild, way over the agreed-upon budget; Calatrava is never available, always working on one of his many other projects; and for the HSB, the issue of whether this tower is wrthg it or whether its more important to spend money on middle class housing, becomes more pressing everyday. The Socialist, the Architect and the Twisted Tower documents this extraordinary struggle. As Calatrava fights for his integrity and vision, Johnny Orback attempts to placate the HSB, pressing for increased funds and trying to keep the project from getting abandoned mid-construction. It is a film as much about architecture as it is about the clashing of two radically different ideologies. Best Documentary, Doc Fest, Festival di Palazzo Venezia, Rome, 2006 Amsterdam International Documentary Festival, 2005 International Festival of Films on Art, Montreal, 2006 “ Calatrava is the most crowd-pleasing architect since Frank Gehry. His work, too, is dazzling and emotionally engaging.” -Paul Goldberger, The New Yorker* “ An excellent film! The director, Fredrik Gertten, has obtained outstanding footage that shows, first hand, the kinds of problems thrown up when two visionaries attempt to create a landmark building… This film will be relevant to anyone interested in architecture and the work of Santiago Calatrava but above all, it is a riveting story well told.” -Leonardo: Journal of the International Society of the Arts, Sciences, and Technology “ The Socialist, the Architect and the Twisted Tower is strong on insight into what t takes to create an architectural icon in the 21st century. An unflinching view… It is recommended, particularly for libraries and collections in architecture.” -Educational Media Reviws Online “ The Socialist, the Architect and the Twisted Tower was awarded the Best Documentary prize for the originality and narrative rhythm with which the film investigates the artistic, economic and human premises behind one of the great projects of contemporary architecture.” -Jury of Doc Fest, Festival di Palazzo Venezia Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Nashville Civic Design Center 138 Second Avenue North Suite 106 .