The Resene Architecture and Design Film Festival is about to begin its seventh year on 3 May in Auckland. The festival has grown to be the largest celebration of architecture and design films. In our current age, the discussion of housing is ever-relevant and the films presented during this multi-city event celebrate the impact that architecture and design have on creating communities. 

This year’s films are sure to not only entertain, but provoke, inspire, and educate. Opening night in Auckland features the film Harry Seidler: Modernist. Seidler is one of Australia’s most famous architects. Originally coming on a short trip to Sydney to design a home for his mother, Rose Seidler, Harry was so well received that his trip was extended. Between 1948 and 1952, Seidler designed 26 homes in Sydney, and some say he came to define the city.

The film shows the life of this architectural giant through his loved ones and professional colleagues and is sure to be an exciting look at the life of a legend.  Special screenings of Harry Seidler: Modernist across the country include a Q&A session with Architectural Designers New Zealand.

A film not to be missed at the festival is Samurai Architect: Tadao Ando which follows the award-winning, Japanese architect around the world as he creates his signature minimalist designs. The 72-year-old Ando opens a window into his creative process and winning wit. Though his work often seems elegantly simple, the engineering process can present immense challenges. The film showcases just how much discipline this self-taught architect demonstrates, earning him the title ‘Samurai Architect’. 

Also in Auckland this year is the New Zealand premiere of Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex, Fashion & Disco. Antonio Lopez, Puerto Rican born and raised in the Bronx, was one of the biggest fashion illustrators of the 1960s and 70s. This film shows him among other mysterious and elusive characters such as his closest friends Bill Cunningham and Karl Lagerfeld. Lopez counts his muses as unique beauties like Grace Jones and Jessica Lange.

The film paints Antonio Lopez’s life in an age of revolution, war protests, disco, and fashion risks. Described as a “documentary-based time capsule,” the film evokes nostalgia and adrenaline through archival footage and stills from New York to Paris and in between.

The festival features 14 films in total showing films that cover topics like landscape design and clean energy alongside intimate documentaries of architects and projects. The Resene Architecture and Design Film Festival will play nationwide:

Auckland: 3 to 20 May 2018 at Rialto Cinemas
Wellington: 24 May to 10 June 2018 at Embassy Theatre
Dunedin: 14 to 24 June 2018 at Rialto Cinemas
Christchurch: 28 June to 11 July at Academy Gold

With selected films also screening in New Plymouth, Tauranga, Havelock North, and Palmerston North. See rialto.co.nz for tickets and more information.

See a full schedule of screenings and special events at resene.co.nz.