Interested in films that entertain, engage and evoke public debate, Bart has been in the documentary industry since 1996. Films he has produced include The Corporation (winner at over 25 festivals including Sundance, Toronto, and IDFA, and broadcast worldwide) and Moebius Redux (co-production with Avanti Pictures, Germany; ZDF-ARTE, Bravo! and others). Other collaborations include Bananas!* and its sequel, Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (Sundance Film Festival), both with WG Film Sweden. His feature directorial debut Brasília: Life After Design (co-production with Aconite Productions – Glasgow and Lowik Media – Montréal) premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest and has received awards and commendations in Spain, Portugal and Germany. He is now directing the first feature documentary on the work of Harvey Kurtzman, creator of MAD Magazine. He is currently based in Vancouver, Canada.
Brasilia: Life After Design Premiere Trailer from Bart Simpson on Vimeo.
Q: What does BALANCE mean to you when you think about design?
BS: In terms of my last project—a film about the impact of urban planning—for me BALANCE means keeping the human scale in mind while also planning for an ecologically sound future.
Q: What do you predict is going to be BIG in 2019 in terms of design?
BS: No idea, but I can tell you that I hope for a design world that takes more time to look at other global models (what works, what doesn’t, in many cultures) and seeing how we can apply the stuff that makes sense locally. I don’t think that’s done enough.
Q: Tell us about a project that you worked on that you are most proud of.
Q: My favorite thing about my city is…
BS: I struggle with its relative isolation to be honest. But on the other hand, you can’t beat the mountains, the ocean and a good community.
Q: If you could sum up your outlook on life in a bumper sticker, what would it say?
BS: Look for the good in everyone. Talk less, listen more.
Learn more about Bart’s work:
Website – brasilialifeafterdesign.com / bartsimpson.tv
Twitter – @tallbartsimpson
Instagram – @tallbartsimpson
PLUS, don’t miss the upcoming screening of Brasília: Life After Design, March 17 at the ByDesign Festival 2019. Director Bart Simpson will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film! Tickets and more info at bit.ly/nwbydesign.