AIA Long Beach/South Bay was pleased to partner with the Art Theatre of Long Beach for a special REEL CONVERSATIONS screening of Schindler Space Architect, followed by an engaging conversation with the film’s director, Valentina Ganeva, moderated by AIA LBSB Board Director Casey Roccanova, AIA.
The award-winning documentary explores the life, work, and enduring influence of Austrian-born architect R.M. Schindler, whose experimental approach to space, materials, and indoor-outdoor living helped shape a distinctly Southern California expression of modern architecture. Through archival materials, Schindler’s writings and correspondence, and interviews with architects, historians, preservationists, homeowners, and members of Schindler’s family, the film traces his journey from Vienna to Chicago and ultimately Los Angeles.
Narrated by Meryl Streep, the film also features the voices of Udo Kier as Schindler and Xander Berkeley as Frank Lloyd Wright, along with commentary from architects including Frank Gehry, Thom Mayne, Steven Holl, Ray Kappe, and Wolf Prix. Since its 2024 premiere at the Architecture & Design Film Festival in New York, the documentary has screened internationally and received recognition at several film festivals.
Following the August 16 screening at the Art Theatre, Casey Roccanova led a Q&A with Ganeva, giving the audience an opportunity to go beyond the film and hear directly from the filmmaker about Schindler’s architecture, his creative philosophy, and the process of bringing his story to the screen. The discussion was a fitting extension of the film—connecting Schindler’s ideas with the architects, designers, and architecture enthusiasts gathered in the theatre.
The event was presented as part of REEL CONVERSATIONS — Films. Architecture. Conversation., a program bringing together film and thoughtful dialogue to explore the people, places, and ideas that shape the built environment.
Thank you to Valentina Ganeva for sharing both her film and her insights, to Casey Roccanova, AIA for leading the conversation, and to the Art Theatre of Long Beach for providing such a wonderful setting for an afternoon of architecture, film, and community.