Private Project

Pieter and His Bank

This documentary tells the story of Architect Pieter Sijpkes who bought a bank building in West Montreal, Canada, converting it into his home and a cultural centre. We follow this love story where building and man merge in friendship. Pieter tells us his philosophy about the relationship between urban economic development and cultural heritage, and the importance of protecting traditional architectural culture from the perspective of architects.

  • Ying Wang
    Director
  • Ying Wang
    Producer
  • Jeannette Pope
    Producer
  • Pieter Sijpkes
    Key Cast
  • Ying Wang
    Writer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    彼得和他的银行
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ying Wang

Ying Wang is a Chinese-Canadian documentary filmmaker. He currently works at the BEIJING FILM ACADEMY MULTI MEDIA COLLEGE, CHINA. Ying has a Master's degree in Buddhist Art History and Art Technology from the National University of Kobe, Japan, 1993. Later, he studied multimedia design at the International Academy of Design, Montreal.


Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Pieter offered me the chance to experience his unique relationship with his bank. For 6 months I filmed him and became attached to this space which changes constantly depending on who uses it culturally, and how Pieter lives in the space, always respecting the past and the history. It is Pieter's deep and challenging love affair.
Human and buildings, an urban ethnology which enticed me to make this film.