[11] Futuristic Architecture in Film/Fifth Element

In the Fifth Element the production design and future New York was developed by Jean Giraud aka Moebius and Jean-Claude Mézières who are both French comics creators. And it is clearly visible in the movie, this futuristic comic architecture of the eighties. What is really great about the image of the Big Apple in 23rd century is that instead of replacing existing structures they have constructed new additions to the existing ones not only on top but also below the old buildings and that they have sliced the island into vertical canyons. The circulation in this upright city is envisioned on vertical level with hovering crafts instead of vehicles as we know them. Since the plane of this metropolis was shifted from horizontal to vertical, it has exposed its belly of once-hidden infrastructures of subway shafts [the metro transportation system is forced to be integrated vertically into the buildings] and urban utilities, giving it an industrial and chaotic machine-like appearance.  

The city has, like in the past, been forced to grow taller but its essence survived.

 

http://www.passion-estampes.com/deco/mezieres-new-york-eng.html

http://livre.fnac.com/a831794/Valerian-Les-Extras-de-Mezieres-T2-Mon-cinquieme-element-Jean-Claude-Mezieres

Fifth Element movie stills.