Watch Bickels [Socialism]

Bickels [Socialism] is a documentary film released in 2017 that explores the architecture of socialism and the legacy of the kibbutz in Israel. The movie was directed by Heinz Emigholz, a German visual artist and filmmaker who has directed numerous experimental and documentary films throughout his career. The film begins with an introduction to Samuel Bickels, a Swiss-Israeli architect who designed dozens of buildings for kibbutzim (collective communities) in Israel in the 1950s and 60s. Bickels believed that architecture could be a tool for social transformation and he designed his buildings to reflect socialist ideals of equality, community, and cooperation.

As the film unfolds, we see a series of static shots of Bickels' buildings, which are stark and functionalist in design. Some of the buildings are still in use, while many others have fallen into disrepair or been demolished altogether. We also hear from a number of architects, scholars, and kibbutz residents who reflect on Bickels' legacy and the challenges facing the socialist project in Israel today.

One of the key themes of the film is the tension between individualism and collectivism. While the kibbutzim were founded on the principle of shared ownership and a commitment to the common good, they also placed a heavy emphasis on personal responsibility and hard work. Bickels' designs reflect this tension, as they seek to balance the needs of the collective with the needs of the individual. For example, his buildings often include private living spaces along with shared living and working spaces.

Another theme of the film is the relationship between architecture and ideology. Bickels' buildings were designed to promote a certain vision of socialism, but they also reflected the influence of international modernism and other architectural movements of the time. As one interviewee notes, Bickels' work was "a product of its time" and cannot be fully understood without taking into account the broader historical and cultural context in which it was created.

Overall, Bickels [Socialism] is a thought-provoking and visually stunning film that raises important questions about the relationship between architecture, ideology, and society. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of socialism in Israel and invites viewers to consider the ongoing relevance of socialist ideals in the face of contemporary challenges.