Fernand Pouillon, Le roman d’un architecte (2003)

In the late 1940s, Pouillon gained recognition in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille for his innovative, affordable freestone buildings, challenging the conventional approaches of his contemporaries who favored towering, concrete structures. Before Algerian independence, he rapidly constructed thousands of homes for the city's poorest, creating meaningful urban developments rooted in traditional designs. Later, in the Paris region, he became a developer aiming to build comfortable, green buildings quickly and efficiently. This ambitious venture led to imprisonment but solidified his reputation. Director Christian Meunier explores this complex period, drawn to Pouillon’s architecture which blends modern ingenuity with historical inspiration, using dynamic camera angles. The film combines contemporary scenes with archival footage and readings from Pouillon's writings. Through the recollections of his colleagues, it portrays him as a demanding yet generous man with an undeniable passion.