Berlin Babylon (2001)

Synopsis: A documentary about the architects who rushed into Berlin after the fall of the Wall in 1989 to rebuild the newly vacated area where the structure stood, BERLIN BABYLON follows the rebuilding process over a period of five years--from early... A documentary about the architects who rushed into Berlin after the fall of the Wall in 1989 to rebuild the newly vacated area where the structure stood, BERLIN BABYLON follows the rebuilding process over a period of five years--from early 1996 through 2000. Teams of designers, builders, city planners, and architects came together to erect buildings that would not only commemorate the Berlin Wall, but also unite a long-divided city. In the midst of this activity, politics intermingle with artistic tastes, resulting in a veritable storm of pointed, serious, meaningful construction. Using dramatic aerial photography that contrasts the old Berlin with the new Berlin, the film shows buildings being imploded to make room for more modern architecture to emerge from the rubble. These shots are set off with a grating and abstract soundtrack from ambient group Einsturzende Neubauten, along with more spirited songs by Richard Wagner. BERLIN BABYLON is a history charting endeavor that is a spectacle to forsake. [More]

Starring: I.M. Pei, Rem Koolhaas, Renzo Piano, Axel Schultes

Starring: I.M. Pei, Rem Koolhaas, Renzo Piano, Axel Schultes, Hans Kollhoff, Joseph Paul Kleihues, Helmut Jahn, Godfrid Haberer, Meinhard von Gerkan, Werner Durth, Gunther Behnisch

Director: Hubertus Siegert

Director: Hubertus Siegert
Composer: Einsturzende Neubauten

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