Overview

• The documentary “Sep Ruf – Architekt der Moderne,” directed by Johann Betz, premiered in German cinemas this July with a 96-minute runtime.
• It spotlights Ruf’s signature projects, including Munich’s Neue Maxburg, the 1958 Brussels pavilion co-designed with Egon Eiermann, and Ludwig Erhard’s minimalist Kanzlerbungalow in Bonn.
• Critics praise Betz’s pristine cinematography and layered sound design for vividly rendering Ruf’s light-filled glass and steel structures.
• Many of the featured buildings now hold protected monument status, reflecting evolving recognition of West Germany’s postwar modernist heritage.
• Some reviewers contend the film resembles an extended promotional piece, offering limited insight into Ruf’s socio-political networks and the broader historical context.