Synopsis
The story of Otto von Spreckelsen, a real-life architecture teacher from Copenhagen who surprised the world when he won an open- call competition launched by French president François Mitterrand.
Produced by Agat Films – Ex Nihilo, L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche is a powerful film that blends political storytelling with an intimate human journey. To bring this little-known chapter of history to life, over 100 VFX shots were crafted by the MPC Paris team, under the supervision of Lise Fischer. The entire image post-production was also handled in-house at our Hauteville studio in Paris.
A bold project, driven by a commitment to historical accuracy and visual integrity.
This film isn’t about fantasy – it’s about history. And making history feel real on screen can be more demanding than inventing it.”
Lise Fischer – VFX Supervisor
The creative and technical challenge was significant: rebuilding an iconic construction site, evolving over more than a decade, with a high level of realism, strong visual references, and a consistent alignment with the director’s vision.
A hybrid workflow: archives, AI and CGI
To meet the creative demands of the film, the MPC Paris team designed a hybrid workflow combining several techniques:
- Extensive archival research, led by a dedicated archivist
- AI-based upscaling and cleanup of original footage
- Animated matte paintings to bring still images to life (cranes, workers, vehicles, etc.)
- Compositing actors into these recreated environments, sometimes using green screen elements shot on set
This technical approach allowed for aesthetic consistency, budget control, and a high level of emotional impact.
