‘Architecton’ Trailer: Victor Kossakovsky Charts the History of Concrete in A24 Documentary

The "Gunda" director debuted the feature at the 2024 Berlinale.

Concrete, like most material, is taken for granted. Just look at the quiet beauty of the gray stone slabs as captured in Victor Kossakovsky‘s visual art installation adjacent documentary “Architecton.” The film, which premiered at Berlinale 2024, centers on legendary architect and designer Michele De Lucchi as the history of concrete is explored.

“Gunda” director Kossakovsky investigates the effects of concrete on the environment, especially since the material cannot be recycled. The feature spans a war torn Ukraine to the Middle East, where concrete ruins of various kinds still stand after years of destruction. “Architecton” is a reflection on man’s relationship with architecture and making meaning out of ruins, rocks, and yes, concrete. The feature includes the research and voices of more than 100 leading international architects; Kossakovsky details in the trailer that eight percent of all CO2 is emitted due to cement, with 36 percent of that coming from construction alone.

“Architecton” is also produced by A24, which newly downsized its doc division. Next in the works includes “Deathmatch,” a wrestling documentary directed by “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back” helmers, the Philippou brothers.

Kossakovsky told IndieWire in 2020 that he prefers to strip away certain classic film elements to emphasize emotionality onscreen. “I decided to eliminate music. I can make emotional film and people will cry, without manipulating them,” Kossakovsky said at the time of making “Gunda,” which has no dialogue and is shot in natural light.

Kossakovsky later said to Dutch publication Ekko that his filmography is a call to action. “Architecton” extends his efforts to helm nature-based docs, starting with “¡Vivan las Antipodas!” and continuing with “Aquarela” and “Gunda.”

“It’s obvious that we humans are not paying attention to what’s going on,” he said. “Thousands of mountains are disappearing before our eyes all over the world without us noticing. Humans can’t see things on that scale. China has produced more cement in the last two years than the United States has in the last century. The amount of cement produced in a year is enough to create a wall one meter wide and one kilometer high, stretching around the world. Concrete may be good for basements and foundations, but we build entire buildings, giant boxes, out of cement. It’s toxic, and it’s not long-lasting. […] If we face that reality, we will realize that cement is among the world’s most dangerous toxins. It is just as important for researchers to find a good alternative to cement as it is to find a cure for cancer.”

A24 will release “Architecton” in select theaters August 1. Check out the trailer below.