The Great Arch directed by Stéphane Demoustier
The French Film Festival London has announced the opening night movie for its 33rd edition: the UK premiere of Stéphane Demoustier’s The Great Arch (L’Inconnu de la grande arche). The movie will be shown at the Ciné Lumière, French Institute in London on Wednesday, November 12.
Demoustier’s play is based on a true story that is very interesting. It is about Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, who won the competition in 1983 to design the Grande Arche in Paris. The movie looks at the conflict between artistic vision, political interference, and the real-world problems that come up when trying to make a big architectural dream come true.
David Chambille shot the movie, which stars Claes Bang, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Xavier Dolan, Swann Arlaud, and Michel Fau. The Great Arch was shown at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 in the Un Certain Regard section.
After the opening gala, there will be a question-and-answer session with Demoustier and special guests. Raïssa Lahcine, the French Institute’s deputy director, said in a statement that the film is culturally important: “The story behind the building of La Grande Arche reminds us of how important art and culture are in our complicated world.” We hope that people will connect with the film throughout the rest of the program.
Demoustier said he was excited to be chosen: “This is a French story.” And European. That of a Danish architect who wins an international and secret competition to build a famous building in Paris. This true story encourages everyone to be open-minded when working together creatively.