The Great Arch (L'Inconnu de la Grande Arche)

This film is a work freely inspired by real events

that took place between 1983 and 1987.

The role attributed to the architect's wife, the private-life

situations, and the dialogues are fictional.

Mr. President of the Republic.

So, what do you think? - It’s very beautiful.

I’m glad the project pleases you.

Isn’t the building too tall?

Not at all, Mr. President. Congratulations, the choice is very bold.

Who is the architect, Mr. President?

You should ask Subilon to find out.

No, Mr. President, it is your duty

to announce to us the name of the winner.

- My glasses. - Yes.

In any case, I would like to congratulate the

members of the jury for their proposal.

Here you are, Mr. President.

Johann Otto von Spreckelsen.

Mr. Milon, can you tell us more about our winner?

So, his name is Johann Otto von Sprechelsen.

He was born in Denmark in 1929.

He submitted his project under his own name and not with an agency.

And that’s all I have here.

Call the winner so I can congratulate him.

I only have a postal address.

Call the Danish Embassy.

It's a small country, they’ll be able to help you.

The Danish Embassy… Ah!

Hello.

The Presidency of the Republic is trying to

contact one of your compatriots, who has been

selected to design the future CICOM, International.

Centre for Communication and Defence.

It concerns the architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen.

Von, yes, Spreckelsen.

Good.

Alright.

Thank you.

Unbelievable, nobody knows this guy.

Sir?

Are you Johan Otto-Van Strakelsen?

I am Otto, yes!

You have won the competition for the design of the gateway.

So, Mr. President of the Republic, I would like to meet you.

What did he say?

We should quickly consider what comes next after this excellent news.

- He says you won. - Won what?

The competition in Paris.

- The Cube? - Yes.

Mr. Sprague-Lewson speaks French, so… you can question him.

Madam...

Very simple question. Who are you? - "Bonjour".

My name is Otto von Sprague-Lewson. I am Danish and I am 53 years old.

In Copenhagen, I teach architecture. I am passionate about architecture.

It interests me. And...

It is very inspiring to take part in a competition for a project located in Paris.

Excuse me, could you tell us about the origin of this idea?

Yes.

Because the idea was very clear. I submitted my project.

Paris has great monuments.

Such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Centre Pompidou.

These monuments do not look like Paris, but they symbolize this city.

I wanted to find a new form for Paris, and...

Paris does not have a cube.

Could we know a little more about the purpose of this international

communications center? For the moment, it is still quite unclear.

He asks what the building will be used for.

It will be a meeting place. - A meeting place for whom?

For humanity.

Sir, you told us you were 53 years old,

a respectable age, do you agree?

More seriously, let's agree that it is an age

not commonly associated with entering the spotlight, right?

Age is just a number.

What have you built in your career?

I have built my house and four churches.

Do you think they're going to pay for everything?

Of course.

Even the minibar?

Yes, otherwise we'll pay. That's no longer a problem.

Hello, Mr. Svrigelsen. I have an external call for you.

Who is it? - The President of the Republic’s office.

- Ah. - I’ll put them through.

- Hello, Mr. Shprekelsen. - Hello.

The President would like to validate an aspect of your project with you.

Which aspect?

The President called me this morning to remind me how strongly

he is attached to the perspective designed by yours truly.

You know, this axis that runs from the Louvre Palace and extends westward

passing through the Arc de Triomphe, it matters greatly to the President.

It is, after all, the historic royal axis.

And you are aware that your cube is placed on this historic royal axis.

Of course, that was the competition site.

The President does not want this perspective to be damaged.

No, no, no. It will not be damaged. You can reassure him.

What he means is that the President would like

to be able to represent things in a more complete way.

Could you be more clear?

The President has seen the model, hasn’t he?

Precisely, the President wants something else.

- Something else than the model. - Yes.

Very well.

I’ll take care of it. - Thank you, Mr. Schmeichelson.

You who come from the North, what is your view on our.

Catholic cathedrals and their splendour, often quite demonstrative?

I am sorry, Mr. President, but I am a bit overwhelmed.

You were right to choose my cube over a cathedral.

That was a question without any hidden agenda.

I still do sometimes ask a few of those.

When I am in friendly territory, probably.

I have learned that you have built several chapels.

Yes, I have built two Catholic chapels and two Protestant churches.

Where does this interest in places of worship come from?

I have a religious upbringing.

Me too, but I did not build four churches.

Until my marriage, I sang in a choir.

I often spent time in the churches of Shemsa.

Please excuse me.

It seems everything is ready, Mr. President.

Very well. Tell them we are coming.

Good.

Mr. President.

Do you have a pair of binoculars? - Of course.

- Here you are. - I will take the binoculars.

Of course.

Let's go this way directly. It will be more pleasant to walk.

You understand, I am solely responsible for the national perspective.

I must take all the precautions my responsibility requires.

But the cube is not tall. It will respect the overall balance.

You will see, in the simulation everything is very clear.

Here is the cube, Mr. President.

What you see is the upper part of the building.

I remind you that the cube will be open.

Very good.

And the perspective is respected.

It is really very good, but it is blue.

Yes, it is blue.

I would have preferred it to be pink.

Ah, when the sun sets, it will be pink.

- May I see it? - Yes, of course.

This evening, if you like.

I see things are getting hectic. See you tonight, Mr. Architect.

Calm down.

You cannot go out. - Nobody knows I am here.

It is the safest place there is for me.

We cannot start over like this.

But we did it this morning, we can do it tonight, no?

But we already had the greatest difficulty obtaining this street.

We will find another one.

No, there is no model this large in France.

Besides, it is a German street. - Ciboulon, the President wants to see it.

And in the meantime, SICOM is paying.

SICOM was created by the President, he is the client.

We must do what the client wants, right?

Mr. Tavelli, the crane operator.

Yes, Mr. Tavelli, please come in.

I am delighted to see you.

We were wondering if it would be possible

to repeat this wonderful experience this evening.

When the sun sets, please.

It’s complicated.

I have my niece's wedding, and I have to take the crane back to Marseille.

I understand, but we absolutely must repeat the test.

I can offer to increase your fee by 7,500 francs.

I am willing to help you, but the rate is 50,000.

50,000?

From tonight, we switch to weekend rates.

- He's asking for 50,000 francs? - Yes.

And as I said, it is my niece’s wedding.

- You’d better go. - Alright, fine.

No more discussion. Agreed. Your rate will be mine.

Thank you, Mr. Tadeli, for your availability.

Goodbye, ladies and gentlemen.

Very well.

It is pink.

I told you.

It is good. It is completely pink.

It is very, very good.

I have decided to inaugurate your cube for the

bicentenary celebrations of the Revolution.

On behalf of the French people, I congratulate you.

Thank you again, Mr. Architect.

It is an honour, Mr. President.

Come visit me whenever you like to give me news of the construction site.

Of course, Mr. President. Goodbye.

To demolish this mega-structure, and especially to test

a crane, the prefect asks me what we are doing.

Yes, we are finished.

Wonderful.

We are done.

It is very impressive.

We are building a new world, my friend. We must know how to celebrate it.

- The honours are yours. - No, no, I cannot.

I am too superstitious.

- I cannot. I am sorry. - Very well.

- I am sorry. - So, who will

be responsible for cutting this masterpiece?

So, sir, about your niece’s wedding.

There is no more wedding than butter on the backside.

What do you mean? - There was never a wedding.