Arthshila Ahmedabad’s Film Showcase this week features, ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮: 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗵’ by 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 & 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗿. The film explores the planning and development of the city of Chandigarh, a vision of the architect & designer, Le Corbusier.

𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦:
𝟭𝟰 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, 𝗙𝗿𝗶 | 𝟱.𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺.
𝟭𝟱 & 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, 𝗦𝗮𝘁-𝗦𝘂𝗻 | 𝟭𝟭.𝟯𝟬 𝗮𝗺
𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟴𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀.

Shortly after the Partition of India and liberation from British colonial rule, a new capital for the Punjab was to be built from scratch at the foot of the Himalayas, with the former capital of Lahore having become part of Pakistan. The planned city of Chandigarh would stand for the new democracy, progress, and faith in the future. Architects from the West were called upon – first Albert Mayer, and then the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Plans, visions, and utopias came together. For Le Corbusier, Chandigarh offered a unique opportunity to complete his life’s work and put his urban planning ideas into practice. His vision was to create a modern, humane, and just city, built according to the “measure of man”, which allowed for a cultural life and harmonious interaction between people and nature.

The film accompanies people on their journeys through the city, seeking out settings and scenes that reveal the inspiring interplay of old dreams and new life, the utopian and the everyday, decay and quiet poetry. A contemporary witness recalls the early days of the city. The director of the Le Corbusier Centre, an artist, an actor, and an architect all talk about the experience of settling here and contemplate their life in and with Chandigarh. The filmmakers meet residents who offer an insight into the city as they roam and immerse themselves in the everyday life that has evolved around the built environment.

Venue: Arthshila Ahmedabad
2-G, opposite Ahmedabad Management Association, Panjrapol, Ambawadi – 380015.