I. M. Pei—Building China Modern (2010) explores I. M. Pei's (1917–2019) design of the Suzhou Museum in his ancestral hometown of Suzhou, China. A historic city surrounded by water and renowned for its traditional architecture, Suzhou presents Pei with a delicate challenge—how to introduce modernity while respecting the city's deeply-rooted cultural heritage.

The documentary starts at an existing Ming Dynasty museum that is slated for redevelopment into a modern art institution, requiring the demolition of surrounding homes and the displacement of hundreds of residents—a sensitive issue that weighs heavily on the 90-year-old architect.

Pei's design for the Suzhou Museum strikes a harmonious balance between tradition and progress. He incorporates classical local elements like the grey and white palette and intricate wood carvings, while employing a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. Pei's use of a granite slate roof, rather than the typical heavy pottery tile, frees the structure from historical constraints, allowing for a graceful, modern form.

I.M. Pei—Building China Modern frames Suzhou Museum as a deeply personal project for Pei—a chance for him to leave a legacy in his ancestral home and guide the country's rapid development in a culturally-sensitive manner.

Anne Makepeace is a documentary fimmaker renowned for her insightful explorations of art, architecture, and cultural identity. Her award-winning films, including Rain in a Dry Land (2006), We Still Live Here—Âs Nutayuneân (2011), and Tribal Justice (2017), reflect her commitment to social impact and the power of storytelling. Makepeace's unique cinematic vision and dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices have earned her critical acclaim and prestigious honours such as Peabody, Emmy, and festival awards.