Opening Night of AD Film Fest

by Jon L. Denby in ,


Kyle Bergman, producer, introducing opening film. Photo by Jonathan Denby

As I write these words the partygoers mingle in the background, chatting and sipping on cocktails. Salsa music wafts through the Varick Room as people take advantage of the open bar

I am at the second annual Architecture and Design Film Festival at Tribeca Cinemas. Like last year, the atmosphere is celebratory. People from all over the country and world are here. Some are big name architects; others just film enthusiast. They are here because they love architecture and film, and, even more, they love films about architecture.

In the adjourning room people file into one of the Cinema's theaters to view the opening film of the festival. This year, that film is called "Unfinished Spaces." Beginning in the first triumphant days of the Cuban Revolution, the film tells the story of the National Art School and the architects who struggled to build it. Sadly, as Cuba slipped more and more under the ideological influence of the Soviet Union, construction ceased and the architects found themselves ostracized and persecuted as being "counterrevolutionary." The school lay in decrepit conditions for decades until recently when Fidel Castro allowed it to be restored and finished.

Come visit the AD Film Festival to see films like "Unfinished Spaces" and many more. Running till October 23rd. www.adfilmfest.com

Kyle Bergman, producer, introducing opening film. Photo by Jonathan Denby

As I write these words the partygoers mingle in the background, chatting and sipping on cocktails. Salsa music wafts through the Varick Room as people take advantage of the open bar. 

I am at the second annual Architecture and Design Film Festival at Tribeca Cinemas. Like last year, the atmosphere is celebratory. People from all over the country and world are here. Some are big name architects; others just film enthusiast. They are here because they love architecture and film, and, even more, they love films about architecture.

In the adjourning room people file into one of the Cinema's theaters to view the opening film of the festival. This year, that film is called "Unfinished Spaces." Beginning in the first triumphant days of the Cuban Revolution, the film tells the story of the National Art School and the architects who struggled to build it. Sadly, as Cuba slipped more and more under the ideological influence of the Soviet Union, construction ceased and the architects found themselves ostracized and persecuted as being "counterrevolutionary." The school lay in decrepit conditions for decades until recently when Fidel Castro allowed it to be restored and finished.

Come visit the AD Film Festival to see films like "Unfinished Spaces" and many more. Running till October 23rd. www.adfilmfest.com