Acclaimed filmmaker Wim Wenders has completed a three-dimensional documentary exploring the architectural vision of Peter Zumthor, a Pritzker Prize recipient renowned for his innovative building designs. The film, titled “From Inside Out,” premiered at the Venice Film Festival and represents the culmination of a fourteen-year creative partnership between Wenders and the Swiss architect. The documentary takes particular focus on Zumthor’s design and construction of the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, tracing how the structure evolved from concept to completion.
Wenders was first drawn to Zumthor’s work after encountering his architectural proposal for a Berlin gallery project, which impressed him despite never being constructed. The director recognized in Zumthor’s methodical approach—spending considerable time on design and construction phases—a parallel to his own filmmaking philosophy. Wenders chose to shoot the documentary in three dimensions, believing the format best captures the spatial and visual qualities inherent to architecture.
The film features perspectives from various individuals connected to Zumthor’s buildings, including filmmakers Ava DuVernay and Werner Herzog, as well as actresses and artists who inhabit or experience these spaces. Actor Brad Pitt, who championed the LACMA project before city officials, serves as executive producer. Throughout the extended production, Zumthor granted Wenders extensive access to his Swiss office and international projects, providing archived materials and detailed insights into his creative process.
