The Capitol

The Capitol is a documentary commissioned by RMIT University that explores the extraordinary architectural, cinematic and cultural history of one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings.

Designed by pioneering architects Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin, The Capitol opened in 1924 as Victoria’s first extravagant picture palace. Conceived as an immersive cinematic experience, the theatre is renowned for its spectacular crystalline ceiling, illuminated by thousands of coloured lights, and remains one of the most significant examples of the Griffins’ architectural and interior design work.

The building’s story is one of survival and reinvention. From its beginnings as a grand cinema during the silent film era, through changing audiences, the threat of demolition and decades of deterioration, The Capitol has continually adapted to Melbourne’s evolving cultural landscape. After RMIT acquired the building in 1999, an extensive restoration ultimately returned the theatre to public life in 2019 as a contemporary hub for film, media, design and the creative arts.

We approached the project as a cultural documentary and architectural portrait, bringing together voices from across The Capitol’s past and present. The film features conversations with Six Degrees Architects, Bird de la Cour Architects, N’arweet Carolyn Briggs, Natalie Miller of Cinema Nova, filmmaker Adam Elliot and Ghita Loebenstein of RMIT University, creating a layered account of the building and its place in Melbourne’s cultural history.

Rather than simply documenting the architecture, the film explores what The Capitol represents to the people who have shaped, preserved and experienced it. Architecture, cinema, First Nations perspectives, design and contemporary cultural practice come together to tell the story of a building that has survived, transformed and continued to inspire generations.

The result is a cinematic architectural documentary that preserves the story of an extraordinary Melbourne landmark while exploring its continuing role as a space for culture, creativity and new ideas.