Villa Tugendhat: Inside the Modern Masterpiece that Inspired the Glass Room

Carice van Houten, best known as Melisandra on Game of Thrones and Karel Roden star alongside a Mies van der Rohe masterpiece in the film adaptation of the Glass Room

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz Staff,  Jason Pirodsky Published on 07.03.2018 16:26:12 (updated on 07.03.2018) Reading time: 1 minute

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Filming of The Glass Room a new movie based on the novel of the same name by British writer Simon Mawer begins today on the premises of the Villa Tugendhat in Brno.

The film, inspired by the birth of a fictitious architectural masterpiece and the lives connected to it, is directed by Julius Ševčík, whose 2016 film Masaryk garnered twelve Czech Lions.

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Grete’s room / (c) David Zidlicky

“I am delighted that the filmmakers will settle in Brno for a while. The opportunity to film…not only in the Tugendhat villa but also in other locations…will enhance the renown of the villa as well as the city itself,” said Brno mayor Petr Vokřál.

Boys’ room / (c) David Zidlicky

The book, an international bestseller which has been translated into dozens of languages and was nominated for the prestigious Man Booker Prize, tells of lives, loves, and friendships marked by the dramatic events of the 20th century.

Czech veteran actor Karel Roden is set to star alongside Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandra on Game of Thrones and Swedish actress Hanna Alström, who recently appeared as Princess Tilde in the spy comedy Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Living area / (c) David Zidlicky

The true star of the production, however, is the villa itself; considered an iconic work of modern architecture it is the best-preserved building of German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in Europe.

Built between 1929-1930 by the Tugendhat spouses who lived in it until 1938, the house was seized by the Nazis, devastated by the Red Army, nationalized after the war and used as a dance school and a rehabilitation center for children.

Fritzs’ room / (c) David Zidlicky

A thorough restoration was completed in February 2012 and the villa is now open to the public by appointment; during filming, it is closed from March 1-17, June 11-18, and July 1-16.

The film is scheduled for a spring 2019 release.

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