The comprehensive documentary Czechoslovak Architecture 58-89 investigates the architectural legacy formed under the pressures of the Cold War. Directed by Jan Zajíček and conceived by Czech artist Vladimir 518, the film, shown as a Karlovy Vary Special Screening, delves into the dynamic and often contradictory world of Czechoslovak architecture from 1958-1989. It examines the creative resilience of architects working under a communist regime and seeks to dispel enduring prejudices about their contributions. The documentary adds a layer of personal stories to the distinctive landmarks in Czech and Slovak cities.

The film, which has been nine years in the making, follows the publication of Czechoslovak Architecture 58-89 and the subsequent eight-part television series of the same name for Czech Television. It provides an in-depth examination of Czechoslovak architecture, offering viewers an exclusive look into the buildings and introducing the individuals who designed them. By focusing on the period from the World Expo in 1958 to the political changes of 1989, the documentary highlights notable structures across the former Czechoslovakia, from Prague to Kežmarok, with particular emphasis on often-overlooked Slovak architecture. This regional focus underscores the rivalry and collaboration between Czech and Slovak architects, shedding light on their professional dynamics.

The feature combines shots of the buildings, interviews with architects who played pivotal roles in shaping Czechoslovakia's environment built during this complex historical period, and archival material. These conversations delve into the challenges, aspirations and technological innovations confronting these architects, offering a human element to the architectural discourse. By sharing their stories, the film illustrates how these professionals navigated political constraints to produce world-class architecture.

One of the movie’s objectives is to challenge and dispel the prejudices surrounding “communist architecture”. Despite the ideological and practical limitations imposed by the state, many buildings from this period garnered international acclaim, and showcased innovative design and technological experimentation. Unlike the series, which centres on leading architects and focuses each episode on a few key figures, Czechoslovak Architecture 58-89 is structured chronologically by decade, with each period dominated by a different formalism or style. The chapters are named based on these styles, providing a comprehensive overview of the architectural diversity often mislabelled as solely brutalist. The doc highlights various inspirations, such as Bauhaus and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and emphasises the convergence of architects, engineers and artists who employed innovative and iconoclastic approaches. This era did not only produce brutalist-looking buildings, but also saw the creation of structures in the machinist style, inspired by the aesthetics of machinery and the space age.

Director of photography Jiří Málek, known for his work on Out in Force [+lire aussi :
interview : Martin Mareček
fiche film] and Over the Hills [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
interview : Martin Mareček
fiche film], captures the buildings with crisp and dynamic cinematography, both inside and out. Drones float through vast spaces and capture intriguing shots, such as the upside-down pyramid of Slovak Radio and the claustrophobic crevices under the Slovak National Uprising Bridge, known as the UFO. Málek's kinetic camera work, combined with the swift editing, creates an engaging viewing experience despite the 126-minute running time. This is further enhanced by the documentary's meticulously structured dramatic composition, which strikes a nice balance between descriptions of buildings and personal stories, all set against the backdrop of historical and political events.

Czechoslovak Architecture 58-89 is a Czech-Slovak co-production staged by Film Kolektiv, and was co-produced by AZYL Production, Czech Television and RTVS. Film Kolektiv also handles the international rights.