Gattaca (Andrew Niccol, 1997)

Andrew Niccol | 1997 | USA | 101’

Take a sci-fi mystery, a dystopian world, Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman. The result? Cult classic Gattaca.

Filmhuis Cavia welcomes you to the world of Gattaca. A paranoid, discriminatory world where parents can control the genetic makeup of their child. Angelic blue eyes? A nonviolent character? Or an incredibly high intelligence? It’s all customizable. However, Vincent Freeman (played by Ethan Hawke) is a child born “simply” of love, an ‘imperfect’ man, and therefore must hold his own among the most perfect people. To achieve his dream, a mission to space, he assumes the identity of the genetically perfect Jerome (played by Jude Law). Jerome provides Vincent with fresh, daily samples of his urine, skin and hair, allowing Vincent to fake his identity. Closer to his goal, the mission leader is murdered and Vincent is suddenly suspect number one. It doesn’t come with surprise that Niccol wrote the screenplay for Peter Weirs The Truman Show, another dystopian classic.

With stunning sci-fi cinematography and creative use of colour (three basic colors denote three different shifts in the main character’s identity), the film leaves a visual impression. The sterile, futuristic set design (reminiscent of Kubricks iconic 2001: A Space Odyssey) creates a sense of unease and tension that permeates the film. The soft, warm glow of the outside world is contrasted with the harshness of the windowless, cold interior of Gattaca. Let its colors surprise you, its characters (and their outfits) hypnotize you. Also with Gore Vidal, Danny DeVito and Alan Arkin. Music by Michael Nyman.

With short introduction before the screening.