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
Welcome II the Terrordome Welcome II the Terrordome
Drama 1995 94 mins Director: Ngozi Onwurah
A ferocious dystopian nightmare, this was the first film directed by a Black British woman to receive a UK theatrical release.
High Life High Life
Science Fiction 2019 113 mins Director: Claire Denis
The messiness of sex, the mysteries of birth and the moving spectacle of devoted parenting in the face of impending oblivion.
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
Horror 2016 98 mins Director: Amat Escalante
Amat Escalante follows Heli with a boundary-pushing, mind-blowing mix of sex, sci-fi and social drama.
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.
Santosh Santosh
Drama 2023 128 mins Director: Sandhya Suri
A housewife-turned-cop is sucked into a high-profile case that has polarised the local community in this taut, north India-set thriller.
Night Games Night Games
Drama 1966 105 mins Director: Mai Zetterling
In Mai Zetterling’s scathing rebuke of European entitlement, a man returns to his childhood home and confronts his repressed memories and desire.
The Girls The Girls
Drama 1968 100 mins Director: Mai Zetterling
Three stage actresses starring in Aristophanes’ classic play Lysistrata start to draw parallels with their own lives in Mai Zetterling’s feminist comedy.
Loving Couples Loving Couples
Drama 1964 118 mins Director: Mai Zetterling
Three expectant mothers on a maternity ward recall their personal and sexual experiences in Mai Zetterling’s bold, subversive debut.
The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael
Thriller 2006 94 mins Director: Thomas Clay
Thomas Clay’s unflinching story of teen drugs and violence scandalised the British film industry 20 years ago, but is arguably ripe for rehabilitation
Pacifiction Pacifiction
Drama 2022 165 mins Director: Albert Serra
Albert Serra’s hypnotic Palme d'Or-nominated drama about the greed and hypocrisy of colonial power in Tahiti.