Belly of an Architect

Belly of an Architect is an interesting film as it depicts a new form of inspiration that we have not seen in any of the other films, the physicality of the human body. Although, Kracklite is a fictional character he embodies many of the characteristics of Etienne Boulee through his extreme admiration, idolization and “relationship” with the architect. The film does not focus on original thought, but rather focuses on the inspiration from past works and artists to fuel the creative process. The film also focuses more on failure than success, as Boulee himself planned several buildings, which were too grandiose to actually construct in his lifetime. Kracklite, reflects the shortcomings of Boulee through his physical predicament and failure to finish the planning for the exhibition. The film mainly narrows in on Boulee’s drawings of the building, which was to honor Sir Isaac Newton. The sphere shape of the building draws in an interesting parallel between the “belly” of Kracklite and Boulee’s design. Kraklite is obsessed with his stomach and uses the image of Augustus, who was an important inspiration in Boulee’s work, to feed his obsession with both Boulee and his stomach. Boulee was forgotten for most of the 20th century and Kracklite wanted to bring his architecture back to life through his exhibition. Similar, to films such as Camille Claudel an artist is using hi power to promote another artist as many of the mentors of female artists did.
After watching several films, which are based on female artists it was interesting to see the juxtaposition with a film about a male artist. Because the film is about an architect, which is traditionally a male profession naturally the film focused on the occupation of the male and the males’ role in society. The film also focused a lot on male domination over other males and female characters in the film. The Italians who are involved in preparing the exhibition recognize and obsess over the fact that Kracklite is married to a younger woman. The “woman” Kracklite’s wife is also immediately recognized as an object for the men. She in turn ends up impregnated by Kracklite, depicting his male abilities to reproduce. While pregnant Mrs. Kracklite becomes involved with her husbands “partner” who uses her admiration as fuel to take over and dominate in the preparations of the exhibition. In the film Kracklite believed that his wife, as the wife of the famous historical figure Augustus did was trying to poison him. This unlike other aspects of the narrative is a contrast to the typical construction of the male artists biopic as it shows the power of the woman over the male artist.
The setting of the film in Rome also plays an important role in the film. The Kracklites and the others involved in preparing the exhibition have several dinners in front of such buildings as the Pantheon. Displaying ancient buildings, which have inspired architecture around the world. The setting parallels the idea of inspiration that the film is depicting through Kracklite and his “relationship” with Boulee. Visually the location of Rome makes the film more artistic and aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. If the film were filmed somewhere in the United States it would not have the same artistic appeal.
Although, “Belly of an Architect” is a fictional film it has a similar construct to biopic films of artists. It depicts the “tragic” life of an architect (Kracklite) and focuses on his personal life rather than his life’s work. As in “Artemisia” and “Frida”, the focus is not on the creative genius of the artist and the inspirational work they produced but rather on their personal lives and tragic deaths. Because Kracklite is not an actual architect it is clear why the narrative of the film does not include any of his personal work. But, because the work is not included the film is commenting on artists’ biopics, it is unclear whether or not this is intentional or an unconscious decision of the director/writer. After, watching the film I am unsure whether or not the intention of the film was to highlight Etienne Boulee or any architect could have been chosen and the importance was on the effect of a historical artist on a present day artist? Although, the name Etienne Boulee is very present in the film and images of his architectural plans are shown I do not feel as though I have a full understanding of his life’s work and influence and think that this information was meant to be secondary.