• Director(s):

    LE CLAIR (FREDERIC)

  • Producer(s):

    ARTE FRANCE, GRENADE PRODUCTIONS

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2004

  • Language(s):

    German, French

  • Rights:

    NON-THEATRICAL, TV, DVD, INTERNET

Via four uplifting tales of successful efforts to preserve and renovate outstanding examples of European architectural heritage, this film reveals the huge potential of the buildings of a bygone age as spaces for reflection, learning and artistic activity.

It focuses on four architecturally important buildings which, after years of being left to go to rack and ruin, have finally re-emerged in a new incarnation which has nothing to do with their original purpose: a swimming-pool in Roubaix, which has been converted into a museum of art and industrial heritage; the Citadelle Vauban, on Belle-Ile, lovingly restored by its owners; the Naples Albergo dei Poveri, which has been turned into a sports centre; and the Zollverein colliery, now an arts centre.
These inspiring stories shed light on the reasons why people decide to bring a building back to life. Each one is different, but they all bear witness to a commitment, determination and energy the people concerned often did not know they possessed before they embarked on the project.