In 1983, a virtual unknown (and a Dane at that) wins a competition to design the Grande Arche in Paris for President Mitterand… but soon runs into all kinds of obstacles.

The story takes liberties with the truth, which was criticized by the late architect’s wife; perhaps other, greater changes should have been made to make this conventional drama stand out. But it’s nevertheless an interesting and engrossing portrait of a stubborn artist fighting to maintain his integrity as practical problems mount, a decisive share of it due to bureaucracy and politics.

Claes Bang is perfect for the lead.

2025-France. 108 min. Color. Written and directed by Stéphane Demoustier. Novel: Laurence Cossé. Cast: Claes Bang (Johan Otto von Spreckelsen), Sidse Babett Knudsen (Liv von Spreckelsen), Xavier Dolan (Jean-Louis Subilon), Swann Arlaud, Michel Fau, Micha Lescot.

Trivia: Original title: L’inconnu de la Grande Arche.