Based explicitly on the writings and original texts of Eileen Gray, Jean Badovici, and Le Corbusier. The filmmakers used this material to create a stylized, hybrid narrative that combines documentary elements, re-enactments, and theatrical scenes. Blending genres as a unique structure of the film—combining re-enacted scenes on a soundstage with footage from the actual house—was a creative choice by the directors, Beatrice Minger and Christoph Schaub. This hybrid format was adopted partly due to the difficulty of filming in the heritage building and to allow for more creative exploration of the characters' thoughts and memories.

The film uses the writings to build its dramatic narrative, focusing on Gray's perspective and her intellectual and emotional response to Le Corbusier's "vandalism" of her work. The staged dialogue is used to bring their differing philosophies on architecture and creative ownership into direct confrontation.

This season of films from the Liverpool Architectural Society looks at the perception of the architect and their role in society, and how realistically the film industry portrays the work and character of an architect. This series will explore two interlinked epic films about the male ego architect.  The Brutalist and The Fountainhead are both set in mid-20th century  America and explore at the impact of commercial and aesthetic architecture  on the American dream and the individual ego within that society.  E1027 -The House by the Sea is set in the French Riviera in the late 1920’s and focusses on the private design of the female architect, Eileen Gray, whose house obsessed Le Corbusier, so much so that he led many to falsely attribute the entire project to him. This docudrama is based explicitly on the writings of Gray and Le Corbusier.

The Brutalist (2024), The Fountainhead (1949), and E.1027 -The House by the Sea (2024) all portray the effect the architect can have on the world we build and live in and shows how the potential of design can shape the quality of lives on the individual, and societal imagination. Each film emphasises how various forms of architectural and technological innovation are changing the way we experience the world around us, ultimately influencing  how we survive, dream and enhance (or otherwise) our built environment.

This screening begins with a short introduction from the Liverpool Architectural Society, and is part of a series:

Tue 21 Oct, 18:15: The Brutalist

Tue 4 Nov, 18:15: The Fountainhead

Tue 18 Nov, 18:15: E.1027 Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea

The Liverpool Architectural Society is the Merseyside branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects. It is one of the oldest architectural societies in the world, founded in 1848 with many past presidents being former staff and students at the Liverpool School of Architecture. 

It welcomes participation from all people with an interest in their built environment and how their cities and towns are shaped by commerce, planners and architects and the local community.

This event is part of FACT’s Community Cinema. If you’re an artist, independent filmmaker, charity, film club, or arts organisation, find out how FACT can support your film screening.

Community Cinema events do not include adverts before the screening. Doors open 30 minutes before the screening and the programme will start promptly at the listed time. Please arrive in plenty of time to help our team ensure everyone has a great experience.