Film Club | The Fountainhead
Introduced by Patrik Schumacher, the film concerns an individualistic architect who opts to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise.
Architecture! Drama! Passion! Romance! Vision! Corruption! Uncompromising!
The film follows Howard Roark, an individualistic young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision, following his battle to design what the public sees as modern architecture, despite resistance from a traditionally minded architectural establishment. As Roark's complex relationships with the individuals who assist or hinder his progress, the film is both a romantic drama and a philosophical work. Roark represents Rand's embodiment of the human spirit, and his struggle represents the struggle between individualism and collectivism. The film popularises Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism which celebrates individual rights embodied in laissez faire capitalism. Gary Cooper plays Howard Roark , an intransigent young architect inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, who battles against an architectural establishment unwilling to accept innovation.
Patrik Schumacher is principal of Zaha Hadid Architects. He joined Zaha Hadid in 1988 and was seminal in developing ZHA to become a global architecture and design brand.
Since 2008 Patrik has been increasingly committed to libertarian ideas and has been lecturing at conferences around the world about applying libertarian ideas to urban development and planning issues.