SYNOPSIS
The Grundtvigs Church (1913-1940) in Copenhagen, designed by Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint and built by six master bricklayer and their assistants in the period of 27 years, and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (1290-1591) in Orvieto, planned and executed by many master masons and craftsmen in the period of 300 years.
REVIEW
Two Basilicas presents a compelling juxtaposition of two iconic religious structures: the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Orvieto, Italy (1290-1591), and the Grundtvig Church in Copenhagen, Denmark (1913-1940). These edifices stand as architectural embodiments of Catholicism and Protestantism, respectively, offering exquisite examples of how cultural archetypes can be differentiated to reflect distinct faith traditions, ideologies, and value systems. Heinz Emigholz's film contrasts the southern cathedral, a collaborative masterpiece crafted by various artisans over three centuries, with the northern church, a crystallization of more rigid and austere doctrine. Despite employing predominantly fixed-angle shots, Emigholz maintains visual tension through his characteristic use of unconventional angles and framing. The film captures the texture of space and time through nuanced manipulations of light and sound. In moments where bells toll and organs play, creating an auditory tapestry that alternates between stillness and vibrancy, we are reminded that cinema is an art form that transcends mere visual representation. Two Basilicas, along with Two Museums, forms part of Heinz Emigholz's "Photography and Beyond" series.