When Brazil was Modern

Architecture is political! In When Brazil Was Modern, you get an extensive and detailed overview of Brazilian architecture from 1929 to 1960. More than just Oscar Niemeyer. From a utopian ideal as a radical rejection of colonial history, the goal of a socialist government, to the erasure of this left-wing past by the subsequent dictatorial regime. Additionally, the film makes ample room for criticism of modernism, partly due to its uniform view of humanity. Through interviews and archival footage, the documentary shows how closely architecture is intertwined with the ever-changing political situation. Architecture is political! When Brazil Was Modern offers a detailed and expansive history of Brazilian architecture between 1929 and 1960. It goes far beyond Oscar Niemeyer alone. The film traces the movement from its utopian beginnings as a radical rejection of Brazil's colonial past and an expression of socialist ambitions, to the systematic erasure of that left-wing legacy by the dictatorship that followed. It also makes space for criticism of modernism itself, particularly its universal vision of humanity. Through interviews and archive footage, the documentary reveals how deeply architecture is intertwined with changing political realities.