Event

The Illumination

Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema

Oct 09

(Krzysztof Zanussi, 1972, DCP, 93 min)

New digital restoration!
Director Krzysztof Zanussi in attendance!
Co-presented with the Seattle Polish Film Festival
Sponsored by Seattle University

Thursday, Oct 09 at 07:00PM

In this classic bildungsroman, a young man from a provincial town comes to the capital to study physics, hoping that science can answer his questions. He explores the boundaries of knowledge while tackling universal life experienceslove, death, friendship, fatherhood, and work.

The Illumination is a philosophical essay written with a camera, comprised of animation, experimental techniques and documentary footage. Director Krzysztof Zanussi's protagonist struggles against the futility of a life constantly overshadowed by death. However, in the face of defeat, he rejects nihilism and resignation to his fate in favor of a simplistic view of life: fragile but treasured. With the success of this masterpiece, Mr. Zanussi's career blossomed into international renown, proving that philosophy could be translated into successful cinema. Part of our series Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema.