My Architect

The Age

Thursday May 12, 2005

PHILIPPA HAWKER

DVD & VIDEO REVIEW: My Architect, Hopscotch, 115 minutes, PG, documentary, 2004, ****

NATHANIEL Kahn's Oscar-nominated documentary about his father, Louis Kahn, one of the 20th century's most celebrated architects, is a fascinating exploration of public buildings and private lives. Louis Kahn died when Nathaniel was 11, and his domestic arrangements were complicated: a secretive man, he had children with several different women. If the film is a son's search for his inevitably distant father - a man who inspired great affection and respect, no matter how demanding and difficult he could be - it is also a strong affirmation of the remarkable buildings that Louis Kahn created.

A worthwhile extra is the record of a session with the filmmaker, which makes some useful points about the documentary process: it also includes examples of archival footage and interview material not - often to Nathaniel's regret - included in the film.

DVD extras include: director Q&A with extra footage; trailer; photo booklet.