6 Examples of modernism in film
Modernism in film goes beyond storytelling—it's a visual celebration of clean lines, bold forms, and timeless design. From iconic furniture to striking architecture, modernist elements create atmospheres that resonate with innovation and style. This article explores how filmmakers use modernism to shape narratives, set moods, and leave lasting impressions on audiences.
Olivier Mourgue's Djinn chairs
2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968): Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi classic features Olivier Mourgue's Djinn chairs, epitomizing futuristic design and enhancing the film's avant-garde aesthetic. The Djinn series was designed by Olivier Mourgue in 1965 whilst working for French manufacturer Airborne International. The Djinn chair embodies the essence of 60s futuristic design and has gone on to firmly take its place in design history. All the original props from the film were destroyed by Kubrick at the end of filming. This, coupled with the fact that the chairs are no longer in production means that these have become extremely collectible.
2. John Lautner’s Elrod House
Diamonds Are Forever (1971): This James Bond installment showcases John Lautner's Elrod House, a modernist masterpiece in Palm Springs, highlighting mid-century architecture and design. The Elrod house served as Willard Whyte’s summer house and is where Bond is welcomed by Bambi. The Elrod house was design by John Lautner for the interior designer Arthur Elrod. The 9,000sq ft house consists of five bedrooms and sits on a rocky cliff about a mile from the downtown of Palm Springs. In the film, the house is decorated with plenty of iconic furniture, including a B&B Italia Serie Up 2000 Armchair and an Artifort Ribbon Chair.
3. Eero saarinen’s womb chair
Down with Love (2003): This Rom-com Starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor features Eero Saarinen’s womb chair. This chair was originally designed in 1948 for architect and designer Florence Knoll who wanted a chair in which she could defy the established notion that a woman should sit upright, ankles crossed, hands folded. The “Womb Chair” was designed to be sat in any way the user wants, be it sideways or not. This particular chair can also be found in Down With Love and Torch Song.
4. John Lautner’s Schaffer Residence
A Single Man (2009): Bringing it back to John Lautner, Tom Ford’s award-winning film A Single Man featured the Shaffer Residence. This Mid-Century Modern house was built in 1949 for the mother of one of John Lautner’s employees. John Lautner's Schaffer House is a masterpiece of modern indoor-outdoor living in Southern California. Built with redwood, glass, and brick, it blends seamlessly with nature, nestled among oak trees. Thoughtful design details, like floating ceilings and pivoting glass doors, create a light, open feel while maintaining privacy and connection to the outdoors.
5. Henrik Thor-Larsen’s Ovalia Egg Chairs
Men in Black (1997): The film features Henrik Thor-Larsen's Ovalia Egg Chairs, adding a sleek, modern touch to the secret agency's headquarters as Will Smith and the other candidates look to become the “best of the best” agents. This chair was orgiinally exhibited at the Scandinavian Furniture Fair in 1968 and was on sale for a decade. Following the iconic posters for the Men In Black films, which feature the main characters seated in these chairs, mass-production was restarted.
6. All of “A clockwork orange”
A Clockwork Orange (1971): Stanley Kubrick's dystopian film showcases modernist interiors, including the iconic Djinn chairs by Olivier Mourgue, seen in Kubrick’s 2001: A space Odyssey from earlier in the article. The entire film is littered with examples of modernist furniture, too many to detail in a single article. The interiors of the writer’s home, seen above, were filmed at Skybreak in Hertfordshire. This was a home designed in 1966 by a group of architects called Team 4.
