This film is currently unavailable
My 20th Century
Ildikó Enyedi's magical tale of twin girls born in Budapest at the very moment that Edison’s wondrous electric light-bulb is unveiled to the world.
Director: Ildikó Enyedi
Overview
From Ildikó Enyedi (whose On Body and Soul scooped four major prizes at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival) this magical film spins a tale of twin girls, Dóra and Lili, born in Budapest at the very moment that Edison’s wondrous electric light-bulb is unveiled to the world. Separated in childhood, the sisters’ lives follow radically different paths: one grows up to a naïvely idealistic, bomb-toting anarchist, the other a pampered, hedonistic courtesan – until they meet once again on the Orient Express on New Year’s Eve 1899…
This dazzling film portrays the birth of modernism, a daring world of revolutionary ideas and inventions that promised enchantment and inspired wonder. Shot in luminous monochrome by cinematographer Tibor Máthé, the film echoes the magic and exuberance of early cinema. Celebrating the enthralling technological marvels as well as the political and sexual upheavals of the time, this film reclaims the birth of the twentieth century as a miraculous moment to be alive.
strong sex, nudity, sex references
Related
Downfall Downfall
Historical drama 2004 155 mins Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Bruno Ganz is extraordinary as Adolf Hitler, living out his final days during the fall of Berlin in Oliver Hirschbiegel's acclaimed drama.
Palindromes Palindromes
Comedy 2004 100 mins Director: Todd Solondz
Todd Solondz’s casting of eight different actors of varying ages, genders and races to play the lead role of Aviva, makes for a truly original film.
Distant Journey Distant Journey
Drama 1949 98 mins Director: Alfréd Radok
Blending documentary and fiction, Alfréd Radok's remarkable film chronicling the Terezin ghetto was one of the first films to address the Holocaust.
Dreamers Dreamers
Drama 2025 79 mins Director: Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor
Two Nigerian migrants dare to imagine a vibrant future outside of their confinement at a British immigration removal centre.
Amélie Amélie
Drama 2001 117 mins Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Audrey Tautou plays the shy waitress whose altruism leads to love, in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's BAFTA-winning hit romance.
Viridiana Viridiana
Drama 1961 91 mins Director: Luis Buñuel
Banned in Spain, condemned by the Vatican and celebrated at Cannes, Buñuel’s satire about an aspiring nun takes a stinging crack at society.
Appropriate Behaviour Appropriate Behaviour
Comedy 2015 86 mins Director: Desiree Akhavan
Desiree Akhavan directs and stars in this clever, razor-sharp and fearless comedy following the sexual misadventures of a Brooklynite.
Daughters of the Dust Daughters of the Dust
Drama 1991 112 mins Director: Julie Dash
Dash’s groundbreaking Daughters of the Dust remains urgent and poetic and continues to resonate, inspiring Beyoncé’s iconic visual album Lemonade.
I'm British But... I'm British But...
Documentary 1989 29 mins Director: Gurinder Chadha
Britain beats to the sound of Bhangra and Bangla in Gurinder Chadha's debut film.
Something Different Something Different
Drama 1963 81 mins Director: Věra Chytilová
Věra Chytilová's first feature is an important work of women's cinema, which contrasts the parallel stories of a gymnast (filmed as documentary) and a housewife (told as fiction).
Rafiki Rafiki
Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.
Souad Souad
Drama 2021 102 mins Director: Ayten Amin
Double lives and double standards in Egypt, as a teenage girl contends with religion and social media to define herself.
Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros
Documentary 2023 240 mins Director: Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman’s gastronomic dream of a film captures daily life in one of the world’s most prestigious restaurants.
Titicut Follies Titicut Follies
Documentary 1967 84 mins Director: Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman’s unflinching debut shows life inside an institution for the criminally insane, voted one of the greatest documentaries of all time.
Multi-Handicapped Multi-Handicapped
Documentary 1987 126 mins Director: Frederick Wiseman
A compassionate portrait of students at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, directed by Frederick Wiseman.
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
Documentary 2017 206 mins Director: Frederick Wiseman
An immersive journey into the New York Public Library with great documentarian Frederick Wiseman.
Welfare Welfare
Documentary 1975 167 mins Director: Frederick Wiseman
Frederick Wiseman’s remarkable glimpse into the Kafkaesque nature of New York’s welfare system.
Central Park Central Park
Documentary 1990 177 mins Director: Frederick Wiseman
A fascinating portrait of the comings and goings, and the people involved in maintaining Manhattan’s iconic green space.