John Wilson’s ‘The History of Concrete’ explores urban life and infrastructure

John Wilson’s documentary, ‘The History of Concrete’, is an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film follows Wilson as he attempts to secure funding for a project about concrete, ultimately evolving into a meta-textual exploration of various human and urban themes.

Starting in New York City, the documentary examines urban surfaces, building codes, affordable housing, and even the business of sidewalk gum removal. The narrative includes a trip to Rome to study ancient concrete structures and investigates the potential of 3D-printed concrete in future construction.

Through a series of vignettes and detours—ranging from Hallmark movie seminars to the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race in Queens—Wilson uses the mundane subject of building materials to explore deeper questions regarding land, infrastructure, and the human condition.