Ben Building: Mussolini, Monuments and Modernism

Jun 1, 2016

1h 26m

★ 6.5

Overview

Having previously investigated the architecture of Hitler and Stalin's regimes, Jonathan Meades turns his attention to another notorious 20th-century European dictator, Mussolini. His travels take him to Rome, Milan, Genoa, the new town of Sabaudia and the vast military memorials of Redipuglia and Monte Grappa. When it comes to the buildings of the fascist era, Meades discovers a dictator who couldn't dictate, with Mussolini caught between the contending forces of modernism and a revivalism that harked back to ancient Rome. The result was a variety of styles that still influence architecture today. Along the way, Meades ponders on the nature of fascism, the influence of the Futurists, and Mussolini's love of a fancy uniform.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

BBC

Ben Building: Mussolini, Monuments and Modernism Trailers

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Cast

Himself

Jonathan Meades

Based on a series of interviews documentary film maker Anders Wahlgren made with architect Sven Markelius in 1969. Sven Markelius was one of the most radical architects in Sweden for many years. Since these interviews were the only recorded interviews made with Markelius we can get some insight into his philosophy 50 years later.

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Invalid Date

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No overview available.

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No overview available.

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Ben Building: Mussolini, Monuments and Modernism

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

Ben Building: Mussolini, Monuments and Modernism Trailers