Mind of Modernism

Modernist architecture can be divisive. Where some see conceptual elegance and archetypal forms incarnated in brutal concrete, others see gray gloom. In recent years, director Paul Tunge and photographers Egil Håskjold Larsen and Patrick Säfström have been documenting Norwegian modernist architecture. The project has culminated in the atmospheric and contemplative Mind of Modernism. With this feature length documentary, Tunge frames these buildings in a way that makes the visions of the architects more accessible, thus providing a new perspective on this controversial style.

With the help of an atmospheric soundscape composed by Kim Hiorthøy and weightless, contemplative camera runs by Tunge and photographers Egil Håskjold Larsen and Patrik Säfström, a new framework is created around these buildings that makes it easier to understand the architects' visions. The result is an important documentation of Norwegian architectural history that directly intervenes in today's debate about architecture and urban planning.

Paul Tunge (b. 1984) has written, directed and filmed three documentaries and four feature films: Kano (2011), Demning (2015), Fountain of Youth (2017) and You (2019). His films have been selected for several prestigious film festivals, such as New Horizons, Mostra Sao Paulo, Gothenburg Film Festival, Filmfest Hamburg and Film Fest Ghent, and has also been selected for the Autumn Exhibition.