Crooked Lines of Beauty - my grandfather the architect Carl Nyrén

Crooked Lines of Beauty (original title: Det krokiga och det raka) offers a unique perspective on the work of renowned architect Carl Nyrén, starting from his private life. The film, directed by Sven Blume, uses old 8mm films, VHS tapes, and ongoing documentary footage to explore Nyrén’s career and personal life.

The narrative blends everyday scenes from the 1960s, featuring the villa and mountain house Nyrén designed for his family, with revisits to the laboratories, office blocks, churches, and schools he created during his half-century-long career.

For Blume, the film is a way to reconnect with his grandfather, whom he knew more as a family member than as an architect. His outsider’s perspective, combined with a compassionate reflection on architecture, allows viewers to intimately experience both the professional and personal sides of Carl Nyrén.

The film has been on national cinemas in Sweden and a 2 year tour of screenings inside Nyréns architecture. Broadcasted in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and The Netherlands. Festival screenings in Europe, New Zealand and US. In many ways this film has introduced architecture to a broad audience beside the big fan base of architects, students, academics and historians.