by Dan Berman (Guest Critic)
Filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn takes us on a fascinating epic journey around the globe to investigate the life and times of his mysterious father Louis I. Kahn. This exquisitely done film is bold, emotionally powerful, and truly a piece of filmmaking marvel that has a dark but thought provoking presence all it’s own. He takes on a five year, worldwide exploration to unravel his father’s past.

We are taking a trip to other countries and investigate the secretive, complex, and the eccentric architect that Louis Kahn has been remembered for. Khan, developed great fame for his work among other architects. The buildings he assembled were not just intensely spiritual monuments of work they were beyond anything we have ever seen before.

Nathaniel, never really got to know his father even through personal photographs he is to young to remember who was Louis Kahn? But, unfortunately not many people understood the man behind these magnificent structures that have become such a presence today. The documentary focuses on art, betrayal, and the willingness to forgive. It’s an expedition into the dark and elusive architect whose brilliant mind gave us some of the finest structures to be created.

Khan was a very secretive man he never talked about his life outside of his work always just to himself. He was and always will be an architectural legend but that is only the half of what this man held within. Kahn had relationships with other women and carefully concealed his secrets away from everybody. His personal life was filled chaos and a dark mystery behind the quiet persona.

Louis Khan, who has long since died in 1974, has left behind a legacy of an art that will never fade. When he died he was bankrupt, unidentified in a men’s room at Penn Station, New York City.

The documentary is breathtaking, and without any doubts one of the finest films in the 2003 film season.


Dan Berman