Film Basics
83 mins | US | 2024
Director: Jim Venturi
The Story of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown is an intimate portrait of two of the most influential architects of the last century. Filmed over a decade by their son, Stardust, follows ‘Bob and Denise’ in a (tragi-comic) road movie across continents, as they look back to the events and buildings that inspired a partnership and love affair of over half a century. Always holding hands, whether in their most famous building, the Sainsbury Wing of the National gallery, or while watching British sitcoms, we share their secrets and loves. These brilliant innovators, always out of step with the architectural establishment, revolutionized the practice of architecture through their buildings and writings. Venturi, raised by Italian parents, returns to Rome, the ‘eternal’ city that profoundly affected him as an artist and led to the writing of Complexity and Contradiction. A book which influenced generations of architects worldwide. This gem of a film, is a vibrant montage of early archival and colorful verité, showing how Bob and Denise, together, changed the course of architecture. Yet in a profession where the notion of lone genius is exalted, will Denise ever convince people that creativity really can exist in two minds?
About the Architecture and Design Film Festival
The Architecture and Design Film Festival (ADFF)—North America’s largest film festival dedicated to architecture and design—is coming back to Toronto for another year of great films and insightful discussions! From October 23 – 26, catch one of their amazing lineup of 16 films, from all over the world. Looking for the full list of films showcased at this year’s ADFF: Toronto? See the complete programme on the festival’s website!
The TSA is proud to once again be partnering with ADFF: Toronto to bring a series of panel discussions and post-screening Q&As that complement this year’s film roster. These panels bring together architects, film-makers, and subject matter experts to further explore the themes of each film and bring them back to our local context here in Toronto.