Released this year, The Great Arch (2025) is a French–Danish biographical drama directed by Stéphane Demoustier, telling the true story of Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, an almost unknown Danish architect who won the international “Tête Défense” architectural competition.
Announced in 1982 by the President of the French Republic, the competition formed part of a vast programme of urban and architectural projects for Paris. It was organized by the Établissement public pour l’aménagement de La Défense (EPAD) and sponsored by the International Union of Architects (UIA). Conducted in a single stage and with the anonymity of all participants preserved, the competition embodied the principles of fairness, openness, and architectural excellence promoted by the UIA.
More than a film about a monument, The Great Arch reflects on the power of international architectural competitions to shape cities, express political and cultural values, and reveal unexpected talent.
Learn more about the competition here.