Watch My Architect

My Architect is a documentary film from 2003 that explores the life and work of the world-renowned architect Louis Kahn. The film is directed by his son, Nathaniel Kahn, who sets out to understand his father's life and complicated legacy. The documentary follows Nathaniel as he travels around the world, visiting some of the most significant works by his father. Along the way, he interviews people who knew Louis Kahn personally, including former colleagues, family members, and students. Through these interviews, Nathaniel learns about Louis Kahn's difficult personal life and the challenges he faced as an architect.

The film is structured around Nathaniel's personal journey to understand his father. Nathaniel was only 11 years old when Louis Kahn died, and he knew very little about his father's professional or personal life. As he begins to unravel the mysteries of his father's life, Nathaniel discovers that Louis Kahn had three families - two in the United States and one in India - and that he was deeply committed to his work as an architect.

Throughout the film, Nathaniel visits Louis Kahn's most famous buildings, including the Salk Institute in California, the National Assembly building in Bangladesh, and the Kimbell Art Museum in Texas. He speaks with architects, critics, and historians who analyze Louis Kahn's style and legacy, and he reflects on the impact his father's work had on his own life.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the way Nathaniel juxtaposes his own memories and experiences of his father with the stories he hears from others. He learns that his father was a complex and contradictory figure - brilliant, but often difficult to work with; deeply committed to his work, but neglectful of his family. As he grapples with these contradictions, Nathaniel also comes to appreciate the beauty and power of his father's architecture.

My Architect is a powerful and moving film that offers an intimate portrait of an iconic architect. It is also a deeply personal exploration of the bonds between fathers and sons, and the legacies we leave behind. Nathaniel Kahn's thoughtful and insightful film is a testament to the enduring power of Louis Kahn's work, and to the importance of understanding the people who create it.