The History of Concrete

Applying his deadpan, observational style to a seemingly mundane subject, filmmaker John Wilson makes his feature directorial debut with The History of Concrete. The 2026 documentary begins as an attempt to use the formula of a commercial Hallmark movie to explain the building material, but quickly spirals into an eccentric study of urbanism and American life. Using his trademark first-person narration and street-level footage, Wilson transforms a lesson on infrastructure into a philosophical and deeply funny exploration of the built environment.