Architecture on Film

Curated by VAi x De Cinema

As of 2025, De Cinema and the Flemish Architecture Institute (VAi) join forces for a unique series of monthly film screenings under the title “Architecture on Film”. Every first Tuesday of the month, you will be taken during a film with introduction in the world of architecture and film, where buildings become characters, cities form the background, and design shapes the stories. The films are always shown in their original language with English subtitles, the introductions are in English. For those in want of a second chance: the third Tuesday of the month there’s another screening without introduction.

In February we screen THE DESTRUCTION OF MEMORY: Across the world, artworks, books and historic sites are systematically destroyed in an attempt to wipe entire communities from history. Attacks on collective memory during periods of civil unrest and war are not new—and they continue to this day. In Syria and Iraq, thousands of years of cultural heritage are currently being erased at an alarming pace. Yet destruction is met with resistance. Laws and international agreements play a vital role, but it is above all courageous individuals who risk—and sometimes lose—their lives to protect cultural heritage. Janno Martens, moderator of the -cide series, will introduce the film on 3 February.

In March we screen OUT OF THE PICTURE:‘Architecture will be the last profession to be liberated by women, because there is so much at stake.’ With these words by Ada Huxtable, An. Ash Smolar opens the documentary OUT OF THE PICTURE. The statement forms the starting point for an investigation into sexism in the world of architecture. Although there is growing awareness today about the repetition and reinforcement of inequality in both architectural education and practice, the film shows how hard the feminist struggle still needs to be fought. The screening on the 3rd of March will be preceded by an introduction to the film, followed by a Q&A with director An. Ash Molar.