A cinematic exploration of architecture, art direction and photograph
Released in 2009, “El Hombre de al Lado” (The Man Next Door) is an Argentine psychological thriller directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat. The film revolves around a seemingly ordinary middle-class man, Leonardo (played by Rafael Spregelburd), whose life is disrupted when a new neighbor, Victor (played by Daniel Aráoz), moves in next door. The story unfolds as tensions build between the two men, offering a deep reflection on social boundaries, personal space, and the conflicts that arise from proximity.
While the plot centers on interpersonal conflict, the true power of the film lies in its stunning visual language, especially its relationship with architecture.
The film’s setting plays a key role in the narrative, with the design of Leonardo’s minimalist, modernist house serving as a metaphor for personal and social boundaries. The house’s clean lines, expansive windows, and open spaces reflect the tension between the neighbors and the characters’ emotional states. The architecture influences human behavior and interactions, becoming central to the film’s exploration of boundaries.
Art direction and cinematography are crucial in conveying emotional depth. The set design, with its modernist furniture and minimalist interior, mirrors Leonardo’s detached character. Cinematography uses wide shots and strategic framing to emphasize the contrast between the openness of the house and the emotional confinement of the characters.
The film was shot in Casa Curutchet, a renowned modernist building by Le Corbusier. This architectural masterpiece symbolizes the tension between public and private life, with its transparency and openness mirroring the characters’ exposed and intertwined lives. The house’s precise design contrasts sharply with the emotional chaos between the characters, highlighting the film’s themes of order versus disorder and public versus private.
In El Hombre de al Lado, the space itself becomes a character, shaping the narrative. The film demonstrates how architecture, art direction, and cinematography can work together to enhance the story, showing how spaces can influence human interactions and reflect emotional and psychological conflicts. It reminds us that architecture is not only about physical structure but also about its impact on those who inhabit it.
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