Sixteen years have passed since Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Picture for The Hurt Locker. Fifteen years before this historic success, however, she was deeply invested in another film. It was the sci-fi action thriller Strange Days, set in the (then) near future of Los Angeles, in 1999, a city in chaos: the streets were crawling with protesters, people had revolted against the police after a popular rapper was executed by some corrupt cops without a second thought. In the midst of this chaos, we meet Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), a former LAPD officer who makes his living selling "SQUID recordings" on the black market. These illegal electronic devices allow users to relive other people's memories as if they were their own...
Based on James Cameron's idea for and on Jay Cocks’ and Cameron's screenplay, reflecting on the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the assassination of Rodney King, the film was released in the autumn of 1995, and was highly controversial, dividing critics on its release, ultimately failing at the box office. But Strange Days now shines as one of the most iconic sci-fi gems of the 1990s. It is a dark, sombre, but technically superbly executed, humanist film. Its distinctive atmosphere and unforgettable locations make it one of the most memorable films of the era, with complex characters and a story that reflects on our not so distant past (or future?).
A 100 years investigating Sherlock; a 100 years investigating cinema
Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow is an American filmmaker who came into prominence with her cult horror film Near Dark (1987). Her work often explores themes of violence, power and human mental resilience, characterised by stark realism and a focus on complex characters. Bigelow's films are able to sustain high-octane, taut narratives while telling morally ambiguous stories, often set in male-dominated environments. Widely acknowledged as the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for The Hurt Locker, her undeniable influence on Hollywood lies in her bold, groundbreaking approach to genre and storytelling.
in English
with Hungarian subtitles
Kathryn Bigelow, Saturn Award for Best Director, 1996 – Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Angela Bassett, Saturn Award for Best Actress, 1996 – Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Detroit (2017)
Zero Dark Thirty (2010)
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Point Break (1991)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D'Onofrio, Glenn Plummer
Cinematography: Matthew F. Leonetti
Screenwriter: Jay Cocks, James Cameron
Producer: James Cameron, Steven-Charles Jaffe, David S. Grant, Ira Shuman
Editor: Howard E. Smith
Music: Graeme Revell
Hungarian Distributor: -
Colour: colour
Run time: 145 mins
