An Engineer Imagines is a cinematic homage to the life and ideas of Peter Rice widely regarded as  the most distinguished engineer of the late twentieth century. Without his innovations and  collaborations with the leading architects of his time, some of the most recognisable buildings in the  world would not have been possible.

 

The documentary will trace Rice’s extraordinary work and short life, from his native Dundalk through  Belfast, London, Sydney and Paris, to his untimely death in 1992, and explore his lasting legacy – which can be seen today, not only in Europe and beyond, but also in his native Ireland.

Directed by 2014 BAFTA Award- winning cinematographer and director Marcus Robinson, the film is  a visual crie de couer to a visionary designer. Boasting the director’s trademark, spectacular time lapse photography, the film brings Rice’s inspiring creations to life to give a real sense of being  located in the present day, almost as if Rice were still alive. Marcus Robinson describes the  filmmaking process, “Filming and directing this homage to one of the world’s greatest structural  engineers has been a moving and life affirming experience. It is as though at every step of the way,  we have been guided by the transcendent spirit of Peter Rice, brought to life by the loving words of  those who knew him best and by the extraordinary buildings that bear his innovative touch.”

Through a series of interviews with former colleagues, family and friends, interwoven with the  stunning time-lapse photography, we unfold the remarkable story of one of the great minds of the  twentieth century; how man pushed the boundaries of art and science to achieve the unimaginable.  A genius who stood in the shadow of architectural icons. Until now.

An Engineer Imagines is a Fine Point Films and Igloo Films co-production film, funded by Screen  Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the BBC. Producer Brian  Willis recalls seeing the exhibition which inspired the film, “I was drawn to the story of Peter rice  when I went to an exhibition celebrating his work back in 2013. I couldn’t believe that here was  someone who was world renowned in his field, working with the world’s top living architects, and I  didn’t know about him. I thought, I should do something about that. This was a story that deserved  recognition from a much wider audience.”

Discussion after the screening:

Where are they? On who and what you don’t see in architecture and why this is so

participators: Monika Konrad and Maciej Miłobędzki

moderation: Artur Celiński