Unforgettable Montevideo is a documentary directed by visual artist Alfredo Ghierra that asks a universal question: Why is it so difficult to defend architectural heritage in our cities?

Through the case of the beautiful and architecturally rich city of Montevideo, Uruguay, the film reflects on the forces that threaten urban memory and the resilience of communities striving to preserve it. Ghierra’s personal journey—part homage, part investigation—becomes a poetic lens through which broader global challenges emerge: modernization versus preservation, private interests versus collective memory and the fragile bond between architecture and identity.

This special screening at Modernism Week invites audiences to consider how cities everywhere struggle to protect their built legacy. The film also highlights international connections with São Paulo, Brazil, Sofia, Bulgaria and Venice, Italy showing that the question of architectural preservation transcends borders.

Director Alfredo Ghierra is a visual artist, illustrator and architectural activist based in Montevideo. His work focuses on the intersections of art, memory and the urban landscape. Through his projects and public interventions, he has become a leading voice in raising awareness of heritage conservation in Uruguay and beyond.

Film screening followed by Q&A with Alfredo Ghierra (Director) and Laura Gutman (Producer)

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