Watch Big Time

Big Time is a documentary film that follows the career of Danish architect Bjarke Ingels as he rises to international stardom in the world of architecture. Directed by Kaspar Astrup Schröder, the film takes viewers on a journey through Ingels' early years as an architecture student, through his founding of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and up to the present day, where his firm is responsible for some of the world's most iconic buildings.

The film opens with footage of Ingels as a young man, exploring the streets of Copenhagen on his bike and pondering the relationship between architecture and society. We learn that Ingels studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, and that he was heavily influenced by the work of Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

As Ingels begins his career as an architect, the film showcases some of his early projects, such as the VM Houses in Copenhagen and the Mountain Dwellings in Ørestad. These projects feature Ingels' trademark style of combining striking, modernist design with an emphasis on sustainability and community.

As Ingels' profile grows, the film delves into his thinking and approach to architecture. We see him sketching out ideas in his notebook, exploring new materials and construction techniques, and collaborating with his team at BIG to create buildings that are both beautiful and functional. We also see how he views architecture as a way to solve bigger societal issues, such as climate change, and how he strives to create buildings that have a positive impact on the environment and the people who use them.

Throughout the film, we are introduced to many of Ingels' key collaborators and clients, such as the late Zaha Hadid, who worked with Ingels on the design of the Danjiang Bridge in Taiwan. We also hear from a number of architecture critics and experts, who share their thoughts on Ingels' work and his place in the world of architecture.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the film is the way it shows how Ingels' rise to fame affected him personally. From his early days as an up-and-coming architect, to his appearances on TV shows like Charlie Rose and The Colbert Report, we see how Ingels struggled with the pressures of fame and the constant demands of his work. At one point, he tells his team that he feels like he's in "a perpetual state of jet lag," constantly traveling the world to work on new projects.

But despite the challenges, Ingels remains passionate about his work, and the film shows how he continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in architecture. From the twisting towers of the Grove at Grand Bay in Miami, to the massive "courtscraper" of the Via 57 West in New York City, Ingels' work is constantly evolving, and the film leaves viewers with a sense of excitement about what he and his team will do next.

Overall, Big Time is a captivating and inspiring portrait of one of the most innovative architects of our time. It's a must-see for anyone interested in architecture, design, or the creative process, and it will leave viewers feeling energized and inspired to make a difference in their own fields.

Big Time is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 57.