The filmmaker Joseph Hillel discusses City Dreamers, his new documentary on the lives of four remarkable urban architects Phyllis Lambert, Blanche Lemco van Ginkel, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, and Denise Scott Brown, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

City Dreamers is the new documentary from the filmmaker Joseph Hillel. He joins me now to talk about his movie, that looks at the careers of four urban architects who have shaped the way urban spaces were used in the 20^th century. The four women are Phyllis Lambert, Blanche Lemco van Ginkel, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, and Denise Scott Brown. Joseph looks at the work of these distinguished women, reflecting with them about their time, how they were received by their contemporaries in the mid-20^th century, and how their accomplishments stand the test of time today. Whether it’s Vancouver landmarks like Robson Square or the Museum of Anthropology; or heritage efforts in Philadelphia and Montreal; the Seagram’s Building in Manhattan, Expo ’67 and so much more, these four people have contributed much to our conception of what good architecture should be, and what role we all should play in what gets built. The movie screens at DOXA, the Documentary Film Festival Sunday, 05 May 2019 at 5.30pm at SFU Woodwards; and Saturday, 11 May 2019 at The Cinematheque at Noon. Visit www.doxafestival.ca for tickets and information. Joseph Hillel is a writer and director born in Port-au-Prince, and who lives in Montreal, where he joins me from. His previous works include Ayiti Toma, The Land of the Living, as well as Karsh is History, and Regular or Super, views on Mies van der Rohe. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Joseph Hillel; Mr. Hillel, good morning.

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