#IrishFilm: An Engineer Imagines, Marcus Robinson’s tribute to Peter Rice, opens in Irish cinemas on March 1st

An Engineer Imagines, Marcus Robinson’s cinematic tribute revealing the monumental legacy of Peter Rice, will be released in selected Irish cinemas from March 1st.

Many of the world’s modern architectural treasures including the Sydney Opera House, the Lloyd’s Building in London, the Inverted Pyramid at the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre in Paris were made possible through the innovation of Irish engineer Peter Rice. A genius who stood in the shadow of architectural icons. Until now.

This new documentary traces Rice’s extraordinary life, from his humble beginnings at 52 Castle Road, Dundalk, through his studies at Queen’s, Belfast and on to London, Sydney and Paris. Considered to be one of the most important engineers of the 20^th century, Rice was awarded the Royal Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) shortly before his untimely and tragic death in 1992.

Rice simultaneously pushed the boundaries of art and science to achieve the unimaginable. With their revolutionary use of materials and sometimes impossible-seeming structural elements, Rice’s buildings exposed and celebrated the structural elements that underpinned them.

Directed by 2014 BAFTA Award-winning cinematographer Marcus Robinson, An Engineer Imagines is a visual celebration of a visionary designer. Boasting Robinson’s trademark, spectacular 35mm time-lapse photography, the film stunningly captures Rice’s inspiring creations while the man himself is vividly brought to life by conversations with his family, collaborators and his own writings.

Filming and directing this homage to one of the world’s greatest structural engineers has been a moving and life-affirming experience. It is as though at every step of the way, we have been guided by the transcendent spirit of Peter Rice, brought to life by the loving words of those who knew him best and by the extraordinary buildings that bear his innovative touch. Marcus Robinson, Director

I was drawn to the story of Peter Rice when I went to an exhibition celebrating his work back in 2013. I couldn’t believe that here was someone who was world-renowned in his field, working with the world’s top living architects, and I didn’t know about him. I thought, I should do something about that. This was a story that deserved recognition from a much wider audience. Brian Willis, Producer

We are delighted to be working with Fine Point Films and Igloo Films in bringing Marcus’s incredible Cinematic vision and craft to cinema audiences across Ireland. Peter is one of the forgotten cultural giants of Ireland’s modern history and we hope audiences and the wider public will be as mesmerised as we were when we first saw An Engineer Imagines. Robert McCann Finn, Distributor – Sentioar

An Engineer Imagines is a Fine Point Films and Igloo Films co-production film, funded by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, RTÉ, Northern Ireland Screen, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the BBC.

The IFI, Dublin will present an Opening Night Screening + Panel Discussion on 1^st March. Tickets are available here. QFT Belfast will present a Special Preview +Panel Discussion on 26^th Feb with further screenings from 8^th Mar.

For more information on An Engineer Imagines see Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. #AnEngineerImagines