Archibelge (2015)

Overview

Renowned architect Renaat Braem once called Belgium the ugliest country in the world. Beauty and ugliness are relative concepts, but Belgian architecture is remarkable, to say the least. The three-part documentary series Archibelge approaches Belgian architecture and spatial planning from the perspective of the identity of Belgians themselves, specifically the way we work, live, and relax. Each of these three facets is addressed in a single episode, focusing on Brussels, the countryside, and the coast respectively. The result is a compelling and visually surprising look at Belgian architecture, with testimonies from people who have strong opinions about it, such as Eric De Kuyper, Geert Van Istendael, and Hannes Coudenys. Why does Belgium look the way it does, and what should happen now?