The Brutalists

Key takeaways

The film 'The Brutalist' serves as a springboard for understanding the public's mixed feelings about brutalist architecture and its historical significance.
Brutalism is often mischaracterized by the public, conflating any unappealing modern architecture with the brutalist style.
Architects in films tend to be romanticized as solitary geniuses, overlooking the collaborative nature of architecture.
Historical films such as 'The Fountainhead' illustrate how cinema can distort the perception of architects and the essence of their profession.
Public perceptions of brutalist architecture are shaped by complex cultural, political, and aesthetic factors; understanding these layers can foster a greater appreciation for these structures.

Summary

The Brutalist Film and Architecture

Roman Mars introduces 'The Brutalist,' a film about a Hungarian architect, Lazlo Toth, who struggles in the American architectural landscape. The film, nominated for 10 Academy Awards, serves as a medium to explore the public's relationship with brutalism, an architectural style often misconstrued by the masses. Mars engages with Mark Lamster, an architecture critic, to delve into whether the film accurately depicts the nuances of architecture and the brutalism as a style.

Understanding Brutalism

During their conversation, Mars and Lamster dissect the historical context of brutalism. They highlight the public misconception that labels all disliked modern designs as brutalism, elucidating its true definition—rooted in raw concrete and a specific period. The discussion touches upon how the film's narrative and architectural representations reflect these misunderstandings.

Architects in Film

Mars and Lamster discuss the representation of architects in cinema. They note that architects are rarely depicted authentically in film due to the lengthy, often mundane nature of the profession. Instead, architects in films are portrayed as idealized figures, often embodying the existential struggle seen in other cinematic heroes.

Critics and Cinema's Architectural Vision

The conversation waves through historical examples of films like 'The Fountainhead' to illustrate how cinema projects its ideas about architects—often romanticizing them as solitary geniuses. Yet, the reality of architecture is collaborative. Lamster points out how the 'Brutalist' film perpetuates this notion, showcasing the main character's struggles for creative integrity against external pressures.

Cultural Reflection and Architectural Identity

The latter section of the episode shifts focus briefly on how architecture, particularly brutalist buildings like Boston City Hall, face a love-hate relationship in public perception. With insights from various architectural scholars, they highlight how history, politics, and aesthetics interweave in public sentiments towards structures, urging listeners to reconsider the values embedded in concrete architecture.

Show notes

A film about a struggling architect, a style the world loves to hate—The Brutalist and Brutalism itself share more than just a name. Is it bold vision or concrete failure?