Great Expectations 2007
Distributed by Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Jesper Wachtmeister
Directed by Jesper Wachtmeister
DVD, color, 56 min.
College - Adult
Urban Studies, Architecture, Photography, Film Studies
Date Entered: 11/18/2009
Reviewed by Susanne Boatright, Library, Blue River Community College, one of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, Kansas City, MOGreat Expectations is a documentary which explores a wide variety of architectural visions for the twentieth century. Specifically twentieth century urban issues, including housing shortages, urban decay and pollution were the catalyst for the ideas of some of the boldest architects of modern times. They envisioned possibilities for ways in which men might change the way they live. Although their dreams were not always successful, not always realized, these architectural pioneers set about to create new and challenge old concepts about the manner in which human beings live and dwell in their immediate environment.
Using archival footage, interviews and animations, the film tells the story of these great ideas, both those that were realized and those that were not. Great Expectations is a film about architecture projects and visions which have brought changes in our ways of living and dwelling
Some of the greatest architects of our time and their visions are represented here: Le Corbusier’s functionalist cities, Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, Peter Cook’s Kunsthaus Graz in Austria, Rudolf Steiner’s Goethaenum in Switzerland, Moshe Safdie’s Habitat ’67 prefab apartments and many more.
This film is recommended for any college or university collections as well as public library collections.