Sketches of Frank Gehry 

A look at the life and work of the renown architect.

Director:

Sydney Pollack

Stars:

Frank Gehry, Sydney Pollack, Julian Schnabel

1 nomination.

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Charles Arnoldi	...	Himself (as Chuck Arnoldi)
Barry Diller	...	Himself
Michael Eisner	...	Himself
Rolf Fehlbaum	...	Himself
Hal Foster	...	Himself (archive footage)
Mildred Friedman	...	Herself
Frank Gehry	...	Himself (as Frank O. Gehry)
Bob Geldof	...	Himself
Dennis Hopper	...	Himself
Charles Jencks	...	Himself
Philip Johnson	...	Himself
Thomas Krens	...	Himself
Peter Lewis	...	Himself
Herbert Muschamp	...	Himself
Michael Ovitz	...	Himself

Storyline

A look at the life and career of architect Frank Gehry (1929 - ), a visit to four buildings (the Vitra Museum in Germany, Maggie's Centre, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, and the Disney Concert Hall in L.A.), and an inquiry into creativity in conversations between Ghery and Sidney Pollack, whom Gehry asked to make this picture. Early experiences (playing with blocks with his grandmother, drawing with his father, hearing Alvar Aalto lecture), discovering computer-assisted design, finding a psychoanalyst, experimenting on his own home, and bringing an artist and sculptor's sensibility to architecture are part of Gehry's story. Friends, artists, critics, and curators comment.

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Plot Keywords:

artist | architect | museum | concert hall | building | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Bim Distribuzione [Italy] Pathé [France]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Esboços de Frank Gehry

Filming Locations:

Anaheim ICE - 300 W. Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,239, 14 May 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$438,256, 3 September 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Masters,Eagle Rock Entertainment,LM Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last film (documentary) directed by Sydney Pollack.

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Connections

References Columbo (1971)

User Reviews

Interesting, friendly documentary seems a little light

Director Sydney Pollack follows around his old buddy Frank with a hand-held (and an extra cameraman) on a short, shallow, but productive and friendly discussion on Mr. Gehry's architectural prowess. In short, this man is singlehandedly credited by some as helping modernize and accentuate structural design in ways that tower over any other modern architect, making him somewhat of a mythic figure in the field. Despite my, and most viewers, complete lack of knowledge on the subject, one look at almost any of Gehry's many houses or buildings will confirm that his decisions to completely fly against the visual conventions of the past does land him in an utterly unique group from a design standpoint. However, the fact that many opponents feel the need to invalidate Gehry's domination of the field, credited, many believe, simply because of his overwhelming desire to be different, do bring up interesting, and thankfully covered points. I feel that despite the kinship and lavish praise heaped onto this fascinating builder throughout, this sketch neither confirms nor denies Gehry's relevance and true merit, but instead inspires with the simple majesties of various materials erected in all of their uncompromising, asymmetrical grandeur. To appreciate this type of architecture is besides the point; to appreciate the symbol behind the unique structures though, is invaluable.