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Lem Shorts Programme (12A*) + panel discussion

Stanislaw Lem on Film

Lem shorts

Our Stanislaw Lem season kicks off with a double-bill of short films that ask questions about identity.

In Roly Poly, by Polish director Andrzej Wajda, a crash victim receives so many organ transplants the insurance company afterwards questions his identity; in Maska, a killer-robot in the form of a beautiful woman gradually discovers her true identity and, summoning all her will, tries to subvert her pre-programming and not kill the man she was made to destroy.

To discuss the legacy of Stanislaw Lem, and the challenges of adapting his work, we welcome directors Stephen and Timothy Quay; Andrzej Klimowski and Danusia Schejbal, authors of the graphic novel Robot (2011), based on two Lem short stories; Dr Mark Bould, author and academic, founder of the journal Science Fiction Film and Television; and Simon Ings, Arts Editor of the New Scientist.

Roly Poly:
Poland 1968 Dir Andrzej Wajda 30 min

Maska:
Poland/UK 2010 Dirs Stephen Quay & Timothy Quay 23 min Digital presentation

Total running time: 1h 45min approx.

* = Locally classified by The City of London Corporation

Curated by the Barbican in partnership with Kinoteka Polish Film Festival

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