The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York has acquired all 16 films produced by directors Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine. Their films, collectively titled “Living Architectures,” focus on the unseen inhabitants of famous buildings –housekeepers, window washers, concierges and more – fighting the long standing stereotype that architectural criticism is the sole domain of the intellectual elite. The collection, which is less than 10 years old, has remained in the spotlight for its contemporary commentary on architecture.
The recent acquisition by MoMA represents "the culmination of a journey both characterized by much coherence and rich in formal trials," state the filmmakers in a press release. Their playful, tongue-in-cheek style has made bounds in the contemporary relationship between architecture and cinema. Beginning with “Koolhaas Houselife” - a cult classic that follows housekeeper Guadalupe at the Maison Bordeaux by Rem Koolhaas – the duo has worked their way up since to a variety of scales and programs, exploring new ways of capturing the unique perspectives of each building. See their complete filmography and accompanying trailers below.
Inside Piano: The Power of Silence; The Submarine; and The Little Beaubourg
