The Great Arch

Set in 1983, this historical drama follows Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, an obscure architecture teacher from Copenhagen. Despite having very limited professional experience, the Danish architect wins a massive international competition launched by French President François Mitterrand to design the Grande Arche in Paris. The story focuses on his sudden rise to lead this colossal project and the resulting friction between his artistic vision and the pressures of political reality.

The film was written and directed by Stéphane Demoustier, following his 2024 film Borgo and preceding La chaleur in 2026. The cast is led by Claes Bang in the role of von Spreckelsen, appearing alongside Xavier Dolan, Swann Arlaud, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Michel Fau, and Jean des Forêts. A production involving Zentropa Entertainments, France 3 Cinéma, Agat Films & Cie / Ex Nihilo, and Le Pacte, the movie features a credited cast of 27 and a crew of 48.

Released on November 5, 2025, with a runtime of 104 minutes, the film has received a generally positive response from viewers. It currently holds a rating of 6.9/10 on TMDB based on 121 votes.