The French distributor has acquired distribution rights to Zoot Pictures’ documentary Building Bastille (1×75’ and 1×52’) directed by Leif Kaldor. The film unveils the incredible adventure of the young and unknown Canadian architect Carlos Ott, who was chosen to build Paris’ new monumental Opera Bastille in 1982. He will however get caught in the midst of a fierce political battle.
With exclusive access to a massive archive of 16 and 35MM film, Zoot Pictures was able to find the tangled, human story behind an almost impossible build. From political intrigues and personal cost, to Pavarotti and Opera’s brightest stars, again and again nothing is what it seems. The passion, twists and hidden stories of this documentary are shocking, hilarious and sometimes both at the same time. Ampersand will sell the title globally, excluding Canada. The 75’ film is slated to debut on Knowledge Network in the autumn. A 52’ version will also be available.
A half a billion-dollar project, a crushing architectural challenge and impossible deadline, two warring political titans and an architect who has never built anything. What could go wrong? In 1982, the newly elected French president Francois Mitterrand decides that an ultra-modern opera house will be built on the Bastille Place, symbol of the Revolution. In a blind competition, 750 hopeful firms send designs. Word leaks out in advance that the winner will be prominent American architect Richard Meier.
During the formal announcement, the Minister of Culture stutters an unexpected name: Carlos Ott from Canada. No one has heard of him and he certainly is not Richard Meier. He is 35 and has never built a building. What happened? Hastily informed, Carlos flies to Paris with an expired passport and is tossed into an airport holding cell for immediate deportation. Things get worse from there. When left wing President Mitterrand and right-wing Prime Minister Chirac have to share power, Carlos Ott and the Paris Opera end up being crushed between two determined political titans.
Jean Dufour, VP Distribution said: ‘We are thrilled to partner with Zoot Pictures on this unique documentary, that is both a political thriller and an artistic documentary about an architectural prowess. The Bastille Opera is one of Paris most famous monuments, and the untold story behind its construction is compelling. We particularly liked the fact that building process is told through the personal adventure of a talented underdog Carlos Ott, a young architect caught in the midst of an intense and strange political battle. The perfect combination of unseen archival footage and exclusive testimonies of the various protagonists makes an entertaining and edifying film’.
Leif Kaldor, director and producer, added: ‘I heard about this project from the editor of a documentary shot 30 years ago that had vanished. We found the original film footage, and started shooting in Paris in January of 2020. There was a strike that cancelled all performance, the Gilets Jaunes firebombed our hotel and then Covid-19 hit. So, like the Bastille, nothing went easily or as planned, things were not what they seemed to be, and in the end it was great.
Leslea Mair, Zoot Producer, concluded: ‘We are so happy to be able to finish this documentary in such a strange and trying time. With the archives and the fantastic personalities we were able to interview, it’s hilarious, dramatic and surprisingly, a story that very few people know about – or at least the real story behind the scenes. Building Bastille is not about Opera, or architecture. It’s an adventure, a story of perseverance and the costs that come with success’.
Building Bastille – The Tangledand Improbable Story of the Opera Bastille was developed with the assistance of Manitoba Filmand Music and the CMF Export Development Fund. Produced with the participation of Rogers Documentary Fund, CMF, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and Manitoba Provincial tax credit Produced in Association with Knowledge Network, TVO and Radio-Canada.
