This film is currently unavailable
On the Silver Globe
Andrzej Żuławski's uncompromising sci-fi observes a new society growing on an alien planet and explores the dangers of polarised politics.
Director: Andrzej Zulawski
Overview
Ostensibly shut down in 1977 because the production was going over budget Andrzej Żuławski's epic soon gained cult status as an unfinished masterpiece. Adapted from (his great-uncle) Jerzy Żuławski’s influential The Lunar Trilogy (only recently available in English) its turbulent history has generated numerous myths and documentaries seeking to explain it. Always uncompromising, the futuristic labyrinthine narrative explores the dangers of polarised politics and observes a new society growing on an alien planet.
Now available in its restored form with striking, often violent images (made more impactful by the often feverish hand held shooting style) and powerful music by regular collaborator Andrzej Korzyński it can be seen as the philosophical exploration of the true nature of mankind that Żuławski intended. The repeated breaking of the fourth wall is a stylistic device fit not only for the sci-fi narrative (footage is missing from the astronauts mission) but also for the particular history of this production, with the director himself appearing on the streets of 1980s Warsaw to tell missing parts of the story-line.
Related
Code 46 Code 46
Science Fiction 2004 93 mins Director: Michael Winterbottom
Michael Winterbottom's cult sci-fi stars Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton as star-crossed lovers in a totalitarian world; set to an intoxicating soundtrack by David Holmes' Free Association.
Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies
Drama 1963 91 mins Director: Peter Brook
Peter Brook’s Palme d’Or-nominated adaption of the classic novel by William Golding.
Sky Peals Sky Peals
Science Fiction 2023 91 mins Director: Moin Hussain
A coming-of-age tale about a father-son relationship that might just be out of this world.
The Untamed The Untamed
Fantasy 2016 98 mins Director: Amat Escalante
Amat Escalante follows Heli with a boundary-pushing, mind-blowing mix of sex, sci-fi and social drama.
The Day the Earth Caught Fire The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Science Fiction 1961 100 mins Director: Val Guest
The BFI’s HD remaster of the British sci-fi classic. A journalist discovers that the Earth has been knocked off its axis and is moving ever closer to the sun. Is the Earth doomed?
Last and First Men Last and First Men
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2020 70 mins Director: Jóhann Jóhannsson
Two billion years ahead of us, a future race of humans finds itself on the verge of extinction. Tilda Swinton narrates this visually stunning lament for humanity by acclaimed composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (Sicario, Arrival).
Without Love Without Love
Drama 1980 100 mins Director: Barbara Sass-Zdort
Ruthless young journalist, Ewa, is forced to reflect on her behaviour when a young woman’s life is put at risk in this tough and uncompromising slice of social realism.
Fever Fever
Drama 1981 112 mins Director: Agnieszka Holland
A series of interwoven stories focusing on the Polish resistance to Russian forces at the time of the 1905 Revolution.
Sexmission Sexmission
Science Fiction 1984 116 mins Director: Juliusz Machulski
Two men wake up from hibernation in 2044, decades later than expected, to find themselves emerging in an underground post-nuclear world of women.
Identification Marks: None Identification Marks: None
Fantasy 1964 72 mins Director: Jerzy Skolimowski
As he prepares to join the army, having given up his studies and left his girlfriend, Polish student Andrzej spends his last day re-examining his life.
The Beads of One Rosary The Beads of One Rosary
Drama 1979 107 mins Director: Kazimierz Kutz
Retired miner Karol Habryka fights to retain his family home, shunning the concrete tenements that are rising up outside his door.
The Young Ladies of Wilko The Young Ladies of Wilko
Drama 1979 112 mins Director: Andrzej Wajda
Exquisite period tale of a young man who re-visits the idyllic rural estate where he used to summer before the war, only to discover just how much things have changed.
The Universal Theory The Universal Theory
Thriller 2023 118 mins Director: Timm Kröger
The spirits of Lynch, Lang and Hitchcock haunt this cold war mystery-thriller with an awesome Alpine backdrop.
The Love Witch The Love Witch
Comedy 2016 121 mins Director: Anna Biller
A modern-day witch uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her, in Anna Biller's outrageous tribute to 1960s Technicolor melodramas.
I Am Love I Am Love
Drama 2009 114 mins Director: Luca Guadagnino
Tilda Swinton and Luca Guadagnino’s sumptuous, operatic vision of an aristocratic family disrupted by unstoppable forces of passion.
Hannah Takes the Stairs Hannah Takes the Stairs
Comedy 2006 84 mins Director: Joe Swanberg
Greta Gerwig plays the carefree intern who finds herself at the centre of a love triangle with two co-workers, in this charming 'mumblecore' rom-com.
Girls Will Be Girls Girls Will Be Girls
Romance 2024 119 mins Director: Shuchi Talati
Teenage romance simmers in a strict Himalayan boarding school in this sublime coming-of-age tale. Winner of a 2024 Sundance audience award
Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry
Drama 2023 110 mins Director: Elene Naveriani
A fiercely independent woman’s tranquillity is disturbed by an unexpected affair, in this wry, tender and understated drama from Georgia.