Segregated by Design

We’re continuing to find some informative and inspirational films this week that talk about the role architecture and designers have to play in combatting racism.

‘Segregated by Design’ is a short film by Mark Lopez which gained recognition at last year’s American Documentary Film Festival and Encounters Film Festival. It illustrates the forgotten history of how American governments segregated their cities through law and policy and how this impacts the views of those living there today. Based on the book ‘The Colour of Law’ by Richard Rothstein, sadly it’s not hard to imagine that this kind of city planning is apparent in many countries worldwide.

Follow the makers of the film on Instagram @segregatedbydesign

Architecture for All

“We need to be represented in the world of architecture” [Neil Pinder]

This week we have been thinking about the connection between the Black Lives Matter movement and architectural practices, education, forums from the local to the far, and how we can discuss what it is to have diversity in architecture. We want to continue the important conversations that are happening all over the world and put that into the creative industry context. What do we see when we think about diversity in architecture, what can we do to learn and inform and how can we make sure that is open to all?

We would like to share a film that we found on Architects Journal, brought to us by The Architecture Foundation. Focusing on the future of creative learning in the UK, ‘Architecture for All’ follows passionate London designer and teacher Neil Pinder and includes interviews with Graveney school students, specialists and politicians. The film was introduced as the launch of an Architecture Foundation programme called Celebrating Architecture which encourages creative learning in schools and promotes careers in design to young people. You can also follow them on Instagram @celebratingarchitecture

As always, ASPECT:Cinema is just as much about the discussion as it is about the films and so we would love to hear your thoughts.

Moving Worlds

Since Scotland went into lockdown our ASPECT:Cinema team have been looking at ways that we can continue to share architecture in film with our film club and wider creative communities. Without being able to host another event since our last screening in February, we have decided to share some of the interesting architecture-in-film resources, articles, short clips and much more that we find as our team continue to work from home. We hope that we can share knowledge, inspire conversation and provide you with interesting content for the home cinema experience!

We have decided to kick things off by joining the UK in celebrating Refugee Week and bringing to you some of our favourite aspects about this UK-wide festival in the lead up to World Refugee Day this Saturday. Architecture is one of the many professions that has a role to play in understanding the refugee crisis, sharing knowledge and using our skills in order to help those who come to the UK, having left their homes behind. Refugee Week is a celebration of their incredible resilience and creativity, hosting a programme of arts, cultural and educational events.

The festival is coordinated by Counterpoints Arts who hold an online film programme called Moving Worlds where you can access the films and take part in post-viewing discussions. This years Refugee Week festival is titled ‘Imagine’ and we invite you to join us in checking out the events they have planned and the films hosted by Moving Worlds.

Keep up to date with whats on throughout the festival by following them on Instagram @refugeeweekuk or click the button below to take you to their website.

‘FOR SAMA’

‘For Sama’ - filmed and narrated by Waad Al-Kateab and co-produced with Edward Watts. An incredible true story following Waad’s journey of living, studying and becoming a mother in the city of Aleppo, Syria. With too many awards to even list here, it is an incredible film that shows a first hand experience of war and conflict on ones doorstep.

‘HUMAN FLOW’

‘Human Flow’ directed by Ai Weiwei follows a series of human stories across 23 countries and their search for safety, shelter and justice. This film captures the resilience in people that Refugee Week recognises as it aims to educate us on the extremes of the refugee crisis.