In 1983, President François Mitterrand announced an international architecture competition for the showpiece of his presidency: the Grande Arche de la Défense, extending from the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. To everyone's surprise, the winner was the then-unknown Danish architect Otto von Spreckelsen. Overnight, the 53-year-old Dane found himself in Paris, where he was put in charge of the gigantic construction project. Although the architect intended to realise his design for the Grande Arche, it soon became apparent that his ideas clashed with the stubborn realities and vagaries of politics.
L'Inconnu de la Grande Arche, directed by Stéphane Demoustier, tells the fascinating and true story behind one of the most ambitious architectural projects of the 20th century: the Grands Projets, a series of modern monuments commissioned by Mitterrand to redesign Paris. Demoustier brings the story to life with suspense and humour, focusing primarily on the psychological development of a misunderstood architect. The lead role is played by Danish actor Claes Bang (The Square), portraying Otto von Spreckelsen with verve. Other roles are played by Sidse Babett Knudsen (Borgen), Xavier Dolan (Juste la fin du monde, J’ai tué ma mère) and Michael Fau (Marguerite, Swimming Pool). The film is based on the novel La Grande Arche by Laurence Cossé and premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival.
- Date: Saturday 13/06/2026
- Time: 19:00
- Location (room): Le 23
- Duration of the movie: 106'
