A Machine To Live In

The feature-length documentary essay by the filmmaking duo of Yoni Goldstein and Meredith Zielke tells the story of the Brazilian capital’s unique, almost mystical architecture, its prophetic history, and the cosmic dreams of the future that surround it. Pieced together from snippets of audiovisual texts, songs, interviews, and snapshots, the four distinct narrative perspectives form a hybrid portrait of the futuristic, almost cosmic landscape of Brasília, which becomes a source of UFO cults, spiritualist temples, and the transcendent. The filmmakers portray the architectural environment of Brasília as a unique, inspiring place where utopia often becomes reality. 

"A Machine to Live In attempts to locate where the desires for myth and reason sublimates in the building of utopian spaces. It collects vignettes and stories from architects and builders as they describe their ideal cities, both real and transcendent." (Yoni Goldstein)

Yoni Goldstein (1982), an Israeli filmmaker, cinematographer and editor living in Chicago, graduated from the University of Michigan and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His diverse audiovisual work focuses on socially critical themes and hybrid environments. His projects have been presented in galleries and film shows around the world, including Cannes, Toronto, Osaka, Leipzig, and other festivals.

American director, cinematographer, producer, editor, and educator Meredith Zielke studied at the University of Michigan and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her art projects, including video installations and social and experimental documentaries, explore social systems, violence, and conflict.