Terry Gilliam: Brazil (1985)

35mm print (color, sound) 145 min. Britain

Among the thematic decendents of George Orwell's original totalitarian vision, is Terry Gilliam's energetic masterwork Brazil. Gilliam's vision entails an urban life frought with beaurocracy, to the point of which the events of the films begin with a typo on a specific document. The story itself looks through a radical shift in the life of Sam Lowry, from working for the illustrious Ministry of Information, to an escape from city life inspired by occasional meetings with a radical terrorist. The film questions whether or not a life outside of the system, which Sam desires equally with his love interest, is possible. The absurdity of his situation is assisted by Gilliam's beloved camera techniques, and Metropolis-like set designs.