Goff in der Wüste (2003)

Goff in der Wüste: Directed by Heinz Emigholz. With Christian Reiner. Sixty-two buildings by the American architect Bruce Goff.

“I was able to rent this DVD through Netflix and was very disappointed. The viewer should not expect ANYTHING close to an u0026quot;American Experienceu0026quot; documentary. In short, filmmaker Heinz Emigholz has traveled the United States and u0026quot;filmedu0026quot; 62 of Goffu0026#39;s sometimes stunning architectural fantasies. I use the term u0026quot;filmedu0026quot; loosely because 95% of the shots are static and fixed, almost like watching a slide show. Whatever sound was happening in the background…birds chirping, dogs barking, lawnmowers mowing, motorcycles/trucks/cars zooming by…you get to hear it…as well as Herren Emigholzu0026#39;s thickly accented English directoru0026#39;s comments that offer virtually no insight into Goff the man. Emighholzu0026#39;s choice of a 50mm lens that basically reproduces the field of vision that a person has doesnu0026#39;t help matters either in trying to get a u0026quot;feelu0026quot; of Goffu0026#39;s expansive interiors. Nor does his choice of filming in the spring when the trees are leafed out, making most of Goffu0026#39;s houses hidden in their more-than-usual wooded locales. My suggestion to those who want to learn more about this vastly under-appreciated architect would be to read u0026quot;Goff on Goff: Conversations and Lecturesu0026quot; or even get the set of ViewMaster reels, u0026quot;Bruce Goff: Three Houses.u0026quot;”