The End

Society has collapsed, ostensibly due to the catastrophic effects of human-driven climate change. One of those responsible, a former energy executive (Michael Shannon), now lives secluded in an ersatz bunker abode with his wife (Tilda Swinton) and 20-year-old son (George MacKay), who was born underground and is only aware of life “before” through media and stories. While the family and their staff attempt to maintain a façade of posh normalcy, the arrival of a young woman (Moses Ingram) begins to upset their carefully calibrated, self-affirming bubble. Once the hagiographic (auto-) biography of the father being ghost-written by his adoring son is tested, the family’s entire existence begins to crumble. Less of a thematic departure than one might think, this narrative debut from documentarian Joshua Oppenheimer explores shared themes and points of inquiry with his previous films, namely our desire and capacity to tell ourselves lies to avoid culpability. Building on the fantastical flourishes of his documentary work, Oppenheimer’s surprising, studied invocation of the musical genre pushes its already eccentric narrative into the realm of the fully uncanny. (Jesse Cumming) 

In the presence of Joshua Oppenheimer. 
On Monday, October 21, 2024, there will be a talk with Joshua Oppenheimer at VIENNALE ZENTRALINO,. More information here!

Joshua Oppenheimer: THE ACT OF KILLING (2012), THE LOOK OF SILENCE (2014)