Bullseye with Jesse Thorn Documentary filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky
Aug 29, 2025
Victor Kossakovsky, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for his thought-provoking works, joins to discuss his latest film, Architecton, which focuses entirely on the beauty and significance of stone. He shares his journey from human stories to exploring inanimate subjects, revealing the emotional connections that can be made with rocks. Kossakovsky emphasizes visual storytelling over conventional narratives and reflects on the ethics of architecture, urging a deeper connection with nature and sustainability in design.
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Filming Rocks Changed A Man's Life
- Victor Kossakovsky filmed rocks to challenge himself and evoke empathy for inanimate stone.
- The cement-factory owner wept watching a rock crushed at 1,000 fps and later quit his job, saying Victor changed his life.
Stones Reveal Lost Craft And Urban Meaning
- Historic stone feats (like St. Petersburg's 600-ton column) show lost techniques and inspire wonder about human limits.
- Cities once centered on religious monuments, but modern multicultural life demands new public emotional anchors.
Architects Couldn't Agree On A City's Future
- Victor asked 100 leading architects what cities should build for emotional importance and got no clear answer.
- One architect urged preserving nature in city centers to remind us we're not alone on the planet.