Chicago Architecture Biennial: Screening - Fernand Pouillon: France's Most Wanted Architect

In partnership with Villa Albertine and the Chicago Architecture Biennial, please join us in welcoming director Jean-Marie Montangerand for a screening and discussion of his documentary Fernand Pouillon: France’s Most Wanted Architect. 

On September 8, 1962, architect Fernand Pouillon escaped imprisonment after being incarcerated for a real estate scandal, becoming the “most wanted architect in France.” However, in 50 years he built more than 5 million square meters, mainly between France and Algeria. At a frantic pace, Fernand Pouillon traveled tens of thousands of kilometers per week, by propeller plane, to reach construction sites at night or at dawn between Marseille, Paris, Algiers or in the middle of the desert, until he burned his wings.

Among others, Fernand Pouillon decided to build houses for the most modest. The beauty and quality of Fernand Pouillon’s housing estates prove that he is one of the greatest architects of the 20th century.

After the program, guests will be welcomed to a reception where they can enjoy a glass of wine and have the opportunity to speak with the director.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Program starts at 6:30 p.m. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave. Non-alcoholic options will be available.

About the Director

Jean-Marie Montangerand

After training to become a camera operator, Jean-Marie Montangerand began at the Laboratoires Éclair, before moving on to different television channels (groupe M6, TFI and France TV). He worked as an writer and assistant director for production companies like Survivance, Les films de la Pluie, BelAir Media, VraiVrai Films and Kuiv Productions. In 2007, he founded the Vidéobus workshops, sponsored by Wes Anderson and Luc Dardenne, which leads educational workshops about images and film around the world. After studying at the Lussas school, he turned towards directing documentaries. He produced multiple films such as Le Périple jeune then Siciliens with Roberto Alagna, which aired on France 3 and was distributed by Universal Music. His work Les Yeux de la Parole, co-directed with David Daurier, was released in 2019 with Mediapart, was awarded a Brouillon d’un rêve grant from SCAM, and was selected at numerous festivals: Institut du monde arabe, BAFF Beyrouth, FICNC Cotonou, Festival des Libertés et des Droits de l’Homme, PCMMO, and received the Grand Prix du Réel en vue. Lately, Montangerand has directed multiple projects about doomed architects for France 3: Fernand Pouillon: France’s Most Wanted Architect, produced by BelAir Media, two-time winner at FIFAAC 2023, then La Malédiction de la Grande Arche, with Kuiv Productions.

Please be advised that students, members, and attendees at cultural events or programs may be photographed, and these images may be used for marketing purposes.