The History of Concrete

In the hands of John Wilson, creator of the acclaimed HBO series “How To with John Wilson”, even a stretch of pavement can open onto an unexpected adventure.

For his debut feature, Wilson turns his camera on the material that holds his beloved New York together. But how do you sell a documentary about concrete? In search of an answer, he attends a workshop on writing feel-good television romances, then applies their crowd-pleasing formula to his own decidedly unlikely subject. What could possibly go wrong?

Guided by his deadpan narration, sharp eye for everyday absurdity and genuine curiosity about the people he meets, Wilson embarks on a wonderfully unpredictable journey. Beneath the laughter, the film asks searching questions about making art, finding meaning and building something that lasts. After premiering at Sundance, it travelled to CPH:DOX, Visions du Réel and Sydney, and won the Best Documentary Feature Jury Award at the Calgary Underground Film Festival.

By the time the credits roll, even Estonia’s most ordinary slab of concrete may seem like the beginning of a story.

Marianna Kaat