This film is currently unavailable
The War of the Worlds: Next Century
Polish authorities exploit an alien invasion to increase their power, manipulate the media and provide populist entertainment in this philosophical sci-fi that draws on the themes of H G Wells’ novel.
Director: Piotr Szulkin
Overview
Described by the Lincoln Centre in 2019 as “a disturbingly prescient allegory of power, control, and media manipulation in a post-truth world” Piotr Szulkin’s sci-fi drama opens just before the dawn of 21st century. Based on H G Wells’ novel (1898) it was completed just before General Jaruzelski imposed martial law on Poland. Whilst enjoying success on the international fantasy film festival circuit in subsequent months, it was released in Poland only after the state of emergency ended. Taking the themes, rather than the details, of Wells’ work it explores how the authorities use the invasion of Martians to increase their power, manipulating the media and providing populist entertainment.
This was Szulkin’s second feature, preceded by his debut Golem (1979), considered a Polish Sci-Fi classic and extensive work on shorts, documentaries, in theatre and on television. The acclaimed Krystyna Janda (known for her work with Andrzej Wajda) was cast as the wife of central character Iron Idem, a news presenter played by Roman Wilhelmi, himself a hugely popular TV series actor at the time.
Related
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.
Crimes of the Future Crimes of the Future
Science Fiction 2022 108 mins Director: David Cronenberg
Referencing his 1970 feature of the same name, Crimes of the Future marks Cronenberg’s fully-fledged return to body horror and the cinema of transgression.
Plan 75 Plan 75
Drama 2022 113 mins Director: Chie Hayakawa
Faced with a rapidly ageing population, a government in near-future Japan rolls out an unsettling agenda.
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?
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.
On the Silver Globe On the Silver Globe
Science Fiction 1988 165 mins Director: Andrzej Zulawski
Andrzej Żuławski's uncompromising sci-fi observes a new society growing on an alien planet and explores the dangers of polarised politics.
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.
Red Island Red Island
Drama 2023 117 mins Director: Robin Campillo
French writer-director Robin Campillo offers a searching exploration of memory and politics, in this boldly conceived story of boyhood in 1970s Madagascar.
Police Story Police Story
Martial arts 1985 101 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's mind-blowing, high-octane extravaganza of death-defying stunts and action comedy.
Hapkido Hapkido
Action and Adventure 1972 98 mins Director: Huang Feng
Two martial arts schools battle it out in Huang Feng’s action classic (aka Lady Kung Fu), starring long term collaborator and combat master, Angela Mao.
Project A Project A
Action and Adventure 1983 106 mins Director: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s rip-roaring action-adventure about a coastguard hot on the trail of a ruthless band of pirates in late 19th century Hong Kong.
China O'Brien China O'Brien
Action and Adventure 1991 91 mins Director: Robert Clouse
Cynthia Rothrock stars as the tough city cop and martial artist on the trail of a local crime boss, in this action classic from the director of Enter the Dragon.
Jesus' Son Jesus' Son
Drama 1999 108 mins Director: Alison Maclean
Billy Crudup stars as a young drifter who gets hooked on heroin in this star-studded story of addiction, recovery and redemption.