Arquitecture and Revolution: The Basque Rationalism

MARÍA EUGENIA SALAVERRI and JAVIER REBOLLO present
a production of KARAMBOLA PRODUCCIONES
with the colaboration of Euskal Telebista

SYNOPSIS

The documentary ARCHITECTURE AND REVOLUTION: THE BASQUE RATIONALISM addresses the birth and development of rationalist architecture, a revolutionary movement that emerged after World War II and came to the Basque Country in the thirties, with the help of San Sebastian architect José Manuel Aizpurúa, author of the Nautical club of San Sebastián.

Rationalism left an indelible mark on our cities, as in the Ensanche and Indautxu areas of Bilbao, or at the area of Gros in San Sebastián. In Biscay the most representative buildings are at the Kikunbera House of Bermeo and the famous elevator of Begoña, the building or the Tiger or the one called La Equitativa, in Bilbao.

Rationalism stand for leaving each building only the essential, practical and functional, and characterized itself by its lack of decorative ornamentation, the preference for simple geometric shapes and the use of new materials: concrete, glass and steel. To Rationalism joined the most advanced architecture figures of that time, like Pedro Ispizua, Fernando Arzadun, Calixto Emiliano Amann, Juan Carlos Guerra, Florencio Mocoroa, Pablo Zavalo, Luis Vallet, Tomás Bilbao, Rafael Fontán, Gregorio Aspiazu, Eduardo Lagarde… Then in the late 50’s, lived a flourishing again with architects like Manuel Ignacio Galíndez, Eugenio Aguinaga, J.L. López de Uralde, Jesús Guinea...

Film director Javier Rebollo and writer and screenwriter Maria Eugenia Salaverry, joined in this documentary an extensive collection of architectural images, to which was also added a few interviews with renowned contemporary Basque architects, which provide an interesting and comprehensive view of what rationalism meant in our country.

  • Pedro Basañez Billelabeitia
  • Javier Cenicacelaya
  • Gloria Iriarte
  • Pedro Ispizua
  • Emilio Puertas

TECHNICAL DATA

  • Director Javier Rebollo
  • Executive Producers María Eugenia Salaverri, Javier Rebollo
  • Associate Producer ETB María Elena Gozalo
  • Screenplay María Eugenia Salaverri
  • Photography Javier Rebollo
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Year of production: 2009
  • Original version: Spanish
  • Duration: 53´
  • Format: 16:9

DIRECTOR

JAVIER REBOLLO

Javier Rebollo is director, producer and screenwriter.

Until today he has directed nine feature films and has produced thirteen, more than thirty short films and several documentaries.

In his role as director the following titles stand out:

  • THE SLAUGHTER (TXARRIBODA) (Codirector 2015)
  • THE GOOD DAUGHTER (ALABA ZINTZOA) (Codirector 2013)
  • ANFITRIOI BEREZIA (2012)
  • THE STRANGE HOST (EL EXTRAÑO ANFITRIÓN) (2012)
  • LOCOS POR EL SEXO (2006)
  • MARUJAS ASESINAS (2001)
  • CALOR … Y CELOS (1996)
  • GOLFO DE VIZCAYA (1985)
  • 7 CALLES (Codirector 1981)

SCREENWRITER

Mª EUGENIA SALAVERRI

María Eugenia Salaverri is President of the Association of Writes of Euskadi / Euskadiko Idazleen Elkartea. Besides a writer, she is also a screenwriter and producer, journalist and songwriter.

In her role as a writer the following titles stand out:

  • THE SLAUGHTER (TXARRIBODA) (2015)
  • THE GOOD DAUGHTER (ALABA ZINTZOA) (2013)
  • ANFITRIOI BEREZIA (2012)
  • THE STRANGE HOST (EL EXTRAÑO ANFITRIÓN) (2012)
  • LOCOS POR EL SEXO (2006)
  • MARUJAS ASESINAS (2001)
  • CALOR … Y CELOS (1996)

GALLERY