THE ARCHITECTS (Die Architekten) (1990) - ♦♦

Directed by - Peter Kahane

Written by - Peter Kahane, Thomas Knauf

Starring - Kurt Naumann, Rita Feldmeier, Uta Eisold

"An architect struggles to keep his team together while designing a cultural center. 

The story of The Architects is easily overpowered by its observations on the GDR, and on the poor quality of life in it by ways of showing its restrictive freedom. This is particularly shown by the underlining theme of architecture, that becomes hence important in the narrative but also in the stylistic visual approach with which the film is brought to the screen. 

However, Peter Kahane is not quite well able to match the intentions with the ambition of the story, which in itself is very simple and not at all fulfilling even when identified as strictly character driven. 

More than anything, the balancing of the political statement should have been true with the actual portrayal of the central character, whose life an small acts of rebellion are standpoints in an almost hopeless fight and acts that lead him to lose control of all aspects of his life around him - including the domestic one. This is all shown in a dull and disappointingly bland way that hopelessly affects the power of the movie and makes The Architects a let down.

It is quite interesting to note, however, that this film dealt with controversial themes and its production development started before the fall of the Berlin wall, and released shortly after the event.

Drama, East Germany