Unanimous winner of all three main prizes at the 1973 Locarno International Film Festival, Zanussi's landmark film is a dazzling kaleidoscope of ideas and images. Illuminationexplores the life of a selfabsorbed young physicist trying to understand his place in the universe. He thinks science will provide the answers, but ultimately learns far more about himself through experiencing love, betrayal, loss, and facing his own mortality.
As much a philosophical essay as a narrative feature, Illumination is a cinematic mosaic combining art and science, intellect and emotion. Innovatively structured, this unflinching examination of one man's life became an iconic cultural marker for a whole generation.
The DVD is presented from a superb new high-definition restoration of the film approved by the director, and features a newly filmed, exclusive interview with director Krzysztof Zanussi, the short film A Trace (Ślad) - Marcin Latałło's acclaimed 1996 film about his father, the lead actor in Illumination, Stanisław Latałło, and a booklet featuring a new essay by film critic and author Michał Oleszczyk.
1973 Locarno International Film Festival / Winner: FIPRESCI Prize / Winner: Golden Leopard Award / Winner: Jury Prize
1973 Gdynia Polish Film Festival / Winner: Grand Jury Prize
"Of the third postwar generation of Polish directors... the most important is Krzysztof Zanussi" David Cook, A History of Narrative Film
"A dazzling, cinematic Bildungsroman about a gifted young physicist, his intellectual and spiritual development, his marriage, fatherhood and intimations of mortality" Philip French, The Observer
"Zanussi creates a visually complex, incisive, and compassionate examination of the essence of knowledge and truth"Strictly Film School
"Zanussi's astounding cerebral odyssey Illumination questions nothing less than the fabric of the known universe" David Jenkins, Sight & Sound
Extras
Presented from a superb new high-definition restoration of the film, approved by the director.
Newly filmed, exclusive interview with director Krzysztof Zanussi.
A Trace (Ślad) - Marcin Latałło's acclaimed 1996 short film about his father, Stanisław Latałło, the lead actor in Illumination.
New and improved English subtitle translation.
Booklet featuring specially commissioned new essay by film critic and author Michał Oleszczyk.
