An alien (Tilda Swinton) on a mission of peace inadvertently lands in 1970s Jordan during the events of Black September where she is rescued by a journalist (Bill Paterson)
Friendship's Death is the bizarre and absorbing story of the relationship between a British war correspondent (Bill Paterson,Comfort and Joy) and a female extra-terrestrial, named Friendship (Tilda Swinton,We Need to Talk About Kevin) who, on a peace mission to Earth, misses her intended destination of MIT, and instead lands inadvertently in Jordan during the events of Black September in 1970. The film's intelligent wit, coupled with outstanding performances from its two leads makes this a truly compelling film.
Directed by renowned film theorist Peter Wollen (and his only solo feature), Friendship’s Death has been newly restored by the BFI National Archive and is available on Blu-ray and DVD for the first time.
Extras
Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
Newly remastered in 4K by the BFI National Archive
Newly recorded audio commentary with producer Rebecca O’Brien, cinematographer Witold Stok and BFI curator Josephine Botting
Reflections onFriendship's Death (2020, 40 mins): Tilda Swinton and Bill Paterson, along with producer Rebecca O'Brien and cinematographer Witold Stok join BFI curators Will Massa and Jo Botting to talk about Friendship's Death
Peter Wollen - Writing, Politics, Film (2020, 62 mins): academics and filmmakers' Laura Mulvey and Kodwo Eshun join BFI archivist Wendy Russell for an appreciation of the work of Peter Wollen
Frida Kahlo & Tina Modotti (1983, 30 mins): documentary by Laura Mulvey and Peter Wollen exploring the work of painter Frida Kahlo and photographer Tina Modotti, women icons of the Mexican Renaissance. It features footage of Modotti in the 1920 Hollywood film The Tiger's Coat and some exquisite home movie shots of Frida Kahlo and muralist Diego Rivera at their Blue House in Mexico City.
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
Newly created French subtitles (feature only)
***FIRST PRESSING ONLY*** Fully illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by So Mayer and on Frida Kahlo & Tina Modotti by Sarah Wood and full film credits
