- I'm Pete Schwaba, host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut.
Tonight, we bring you a story
about a daughter's search for her father
and an effort to get to know him better
through his artistry and passion in the film Skin of Glass.
In the 1960s, Brazilian architect Roger Zmekhol
designed a state-of-the-art skyscraper
called Pele de Vidro, which means "skin of glass."
The structure was designed to be a symbol of progress,
modernity, and beauty in downtown São Paulo.
The building was considered
a mid-20th century architectural treasure.
That was until a military dictatorship took hold
over Brazil that lasted over two decades.
Instead of being a symbol of progress,
the Pele de Vidro became a symbol of political turmoil
and marginalized communities.
Zmekhol's work of art ended up being used
as federal police headquarters
in a country that fell on hard times.
The building was eventually abandoned
and evolved into a decaying space
used to house the homeless, immigrants,
and became overrun with vandals.
The building eventually collapsed
due to an explosion and devastating fire.
But before its demise,
Zmekhol's daughter Denise decided
she needed to understand more
about her father's greatest achievement
and explore its sordid history.
Denise Zmekhol lost her father when she was 14 years old.
In an effort to get to know him as an adult,
she decided to learn more about his work,
including the Pele de Vidro.
It was through this process
that she not only connected with her late father,
but learned so much more about her country.
She decided that these two storylines
would make a fascinating documentary,
and she was correct.
Zmekhol says the actual inspiration from the project
came when she realized her father's building
was occupied with homeless people and squatters.
Denise thought if she could talk to the people
inhabiting the building and learn their stories,
it would help her gain a better understanding
of what happened to her native country.
Through the making of the film,
the director ended up taking on the issue of the lack of housing
for homeless and low-income people.
In doing so, she was able to accept the fate
of her father's proudest accomplishment,
therefore bringing her closer to him.
This film has made Denise an award-winning director.
Like so many other documentary film directors,
Denise says the story really took shape
during the editing process.
She credits the partnership she developed
with editor Josh Peterson,
who she worked closely with every day to build her story.
At one point during the film, using her own voice,
daughter Denise talks to her father, Roger, saying,
"This journey is much bigger than you and me.
"I came to look for you
and found a Brazil I was taught to ignore."
Skin of Glass starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.