One of the most iconic structures ever conceived, Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia is a unique and unfinished architectural project designed by the controversial architect Antoni Gaudi in the late 19th century.
Stefan Haupt’s new documentary Sagrada The Mystery of Creation celebrates the genius of Gaudi’s vision while exploring the continuing work of the thousands of artisans, laborers, and designers as they strive to complete the colossal project.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Catalonian metropolis, Sagrada settles into the quiet ambiance of the basilica, peering into nooks and crannies. This slow, methodical investigation allows the audience time to observe, perceive, and reflect upon the historical and spiritual significance of the basilica, while gaining deep insight into the ongoing process of artistic creation.
More than 125 years after construction began, the basilica remains unfinished. Despite this, La Sagrada Familia has been admired by art historians for decades. Art critic Rainer Zerbst once said, “It is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art” and Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Goldberger called it, “The most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages.” Inspired by GaudÃ’s vision and the work of thousands over more than a century, Sagrada sheds light on our fundamentally human search for the meaning of existence and the quest for creative expression in the context of this ambitious and glorious landmark.
