Loved the guys that pronounced cement like semen, among hundreds of other things
Directed by John Wilson
A critically acclaimed, funny documentary.
After attending a workshop on how to write and sell a Hallmark movie, filmmaker John Wilson tries to use the same formula to sell a documentary about concrete.
The History of Concrete is showing in 4 cinemas in Los Angeles - next screening Monday 12 October at 13:45 at Art Theatre of Long Beach.
Next screenings: Monday 12 October.
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Loved the guys that pronounced cement like semen, among hundreds of other things
There’s a reveal in this, where John Wilson, at a party being thrown for Kim Kardashian, whip pans to show a surprise attendee. It’s one of the best scenes of the year.
If I had picked 10 TV shows for that NYT best of the century poll, How To with John Wilson certainly would’ve made the list. History of Concrete is no different, except I couldn’t help but feel like the length really showed how much this format works best as a series more than a movie. Still, it’s an extremely humanist documentary that mines comedy and beauty out of the residents of the greatest city in the world (and some others!) Some really incredible surprise cameos in here, and as always, some of the best editing choices I’ve seen in a while. The sand mandala stuff alone should get an Oscar nom. My theater at the IFC Center in New York found the tattoo stuff disgusting but I thought it was really beautiful! I don’t know. I think that’s sort of the joy of seeing John Wilson’s work in a crowd; a lot of it rides the line of “laughing at this” and “finding it beautiful.” I am far more often the latter.
After attending a screenwriting workshop, filmmaker John Wilson uses a commercial Hallmark movie formula to structure an unconventional documentary about concrete.
John Wilson directed the 2026 feature film following his acclaimed docuseries work.
Tickets on Mood.
