Niemeyer, who died in 2012, was one of the most prolific modernists of the twentieth century, an architect intrigued by building techniques, and made famous for sensuous curves of concrete.
This documentary was made to coincide with his 100th birthday, celebrating his long life dedication to architecture both in Brazil and overseas.
It tells the story of Oscar Niemeyer, whose principal feature was ” the curved line “.
Enchanted by the use of modern building technique while attracted to the sensuous and seductive curved concrete that vividly shown in most of his landmark buildings, Niemeyer was being criticized by Bauhaus director Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier for building standardization.
The film also showed his closed collaboration with Lucio Costa and the then president of Brazil, Juscelino Kubitschek. Being a communist, Niemeyer shared his ideals for a fairer society and metaphysical issues such as the insignificance of man compared to the Universe.
Testimonials of engineers, historians and Brazilian personalities like Ferreira Gullar, Gilberto Gil and Chico Buarque.
While drawing, he remembers his childhood in Rio de Janeiro and his professional career.
Oscar Niemeyer: A Vida é um Sopro – 2007, Dir. Fabiano Maciel, 90 minutes, Portuguese with English subtitles.
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The documentary Oscar Niemeyer: A Vida é um Sopro (Life Is a breath of air) will screen at the Robin Boyd Foundation on Wednesday 17 April 2013, in the beautiful courtyard of ‘Walsh Street’, the house designed by Robin Boyd for his family in 1958.
Guest speaker will be Dr Norman Day, architect, educator and writer.
17 April
6.30 pm
Bookings required
Full version below ( in Portugese )
http://www.avidaeumsopro.com.br/pt/home.php
www.avidaeumsopro.com.br/pt/down.php?dir=pressbook&file=pressbook.pdf
