Frame from the REM documentary by Tomas Koolhaas.

Los Angeles-based cinematographer Tomas Koolhaas presents the REM documentary, a reverence-free project against the submissive attitude towards iconic buildings. Koolhaas scouts deep into his father’s masterpieces showing an unexpected point of view on Rem’s architecture. “Architecture is often viewed from the outside, as an inanimate object represented in still imagery,” says Koolhaas Jr.

Over four decades, ‘starchitect’ and master provocateur Rem Koolhaas has shaken up the field of architecture and redefined the role of the architect in the world. Filmmaker Tomas Koolhaas spent 3 years chasing his busy father across time zones for four years, from taxi to departure lounge to the construction site and back again. In his documentary/travelogue, he played witness to Rem’s extraordinary creativity, as well as exploring his works through the eyes of those who actually inhabit them. REM is a rare and unique insight into the mind of a genius

The film reveals an architecture infinitely more meaningful than its iconicity. “REM is not a sentimental exploration of the relationship between father and son but instead the exploration of what architecture means to those who inhabit it and those who create it.” Says Tomas Koolhaas.

“The resulting documentary is more revealing than the generic poster image and more evocative than the intellectual reality of architectural renderings. The audience gains a rare insight into the reality of the hidden internal life of the buildings. ‘REM’ brings the human back into architectural representation“.

“I wanted to get away from the usual theoretical architecture jargon,” says Tomas, who grew up in London before going to film school in Los Angeles, where he’s lived for the past 10 years. “I took a more humanistic, philosophical approach, so it should appeal to a wider audience. I want people to engage on a more emotional and instinctive – rather than cerebral – level.”

Videos: courtesy of Tomas Koolhas – www.remdocumentary.com