Throw together the words “dystopian sci-fi movie by Terry Gilliam” and a lot of people would have positive feelings. Between his 1985 classic Brazil, or the time-travel themed mind-bender 12 Monkeys, Monty Python alumnus Gilliam has a strong pedigree in the genre (not to mention his excursions into other themes, such as The Fisher King). If you’re a fan, you’ll be happy to know that Gilliam is retreading the genre this year with a new film: The Zero Theorem (in fact, Gilliam has actually stated that the film is “the third part of a trilogy formed by earlier dystopian satires Brazil and 12 Monkeys“. Here’s the trailer, followed by the blurb – there’s plenty of Gilliam-signatures in there, from examination rooms to bald protaganists and zooming, angled shots:
An eccentric and reclusive computer genius plagued with existential angst works on a mysterious project aimed at discovering the purpose of existence – or the lack thereof – once and for all. However, it is only once he experiences the power of love and desire that he is able to understand his very reason for being.
The film has some serious acting credentials on board, with Christoph Waltz, David Thewlis and Tilda Swinton involved. I for one am looking forward to it!
