From Inside Out: Documentary on Peter Zumthor premieres in Venice

„From Inside Out – The Architecture of Peter Zumthor“ Key Visual © 2026, Road Movies, DCM Pictures & DCM Film Distribution

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From Inside Out: Documentary on Peter Zumthor premieres in Venice

24 August 2026

Wim Wenders has spent over 14 years working on his new documentary film in collaboration with Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. Using immersive 3D imagery, the film brings spaces, materials, and users' experiences to life.

On 6 September 2026, Wim Wenders's 'From Inside Out: The Architecture of Peter Zumthor' will have its world premiere at the Biennale di Venezia. This 114-minute documentary introduces the work of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, using 3D footage to examine his buildings from the perspectives of their users and visitors.

Wenders and Zumthor have been working on the documentary for 14 years. Filming took place in the USA, Switzerland, Germany, and England. Projects featured include the Therme Vals, the Kolumba Museum in Cologne, the Bruder Klaus Chapel in the Eifel, the Steilneset Memorial in Vardø, the 'Secular Retreat' in Devon, and the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The Wyss Building at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel is also included.

Architecture as an Experience

The focus is not just on the buildings themselves, but also on the experiences associated with them. The film portrays architecture as an interplay of space, materials, location and purpose. Wenders therefore turns his attention to a dimension that is often overlooked in architectural footage: how people perceive, inhabit and move through spaces.

This perspective aligns with Zumthor’s approach of designing architecture based on the specific site and its intended use. Materials and design are not ends in themselves; rather, they shape the atmosphere and use of a building. Wenders translates this approach into a cinematic experience that observes and conveys through the senses rather than explaining.

Brad Pitt is involved in the project as an executive producer. His involvement stems from his admiration for Peter Zumthor and Wim Wenders. He also championed Zumthor’s design for the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, speaking in favour of the project at a public hearing in Los Angeles.

‘From Inside Out: The Architecture of Peter Zumthor’ was produced by Road Movies and DCM in collaboration with Atelier Peter Zumthor.

The Venice premiere brings together two perspectives: Wenders' long-standing engagement with documentary and immersive film formats and Zumthor's architecture, which is revealed through material, light and atmosphere. The film invites viewers to look at familiar spaces with greater attention.