CU Cinema

'Ikaria XB-1'
directed by: Jindřich Polák
genre: science fiction
production: Czechoslovakia 1962

The Czech Center in Warsaw and CU Cinema invite you to a weekend of Czech cinema, related to the Year of Czech Music.
It is the year 2163; the spaceship Ikaria XB-1 is on its way to Alpha Centauri to explore alien life forms. Far from the Solar System, its international crew, composed of scientists from various disciplines, is exposed to unknown threats, subjected to great stress, and daily worries and joys. The film is loosely based on Stanisław Lem's novel 'The Magellanic Cloud,' which, however, is not mentioned in the film's credits.
Alongside the excellent black-and-white photography of Jan Kališ and the innovative electronic music of Zdenek Liška, a great value of the film 'Ikaria XB-1' is its maturity. The creators propose a pioneering transition of the SF genre from commercial entertainment for youth, based on the Cold War atmosphere of fear, to a philosophical reflection on the fate of humanity after the 20th century. Unlike contemporary Hollywood productions, the film focuses more on the daily life and experiences of the characters and the impact of a multi-month interstellar journey on their psyche and interactions. It is therefore no coincidence that the film was distributed in Western countries, including the USA, under the title 'Voyage to the End of the Universe.' It also became one of the inspirations for Stanley Kubrick and Ridley Scott in creating their fundamental works for the SF genre.

CU Cinema

Tickets available:
- at the Chopin University Press bookstore (Mon. 16:00-20:00, Tue. 12:00-16:00, Wed. 16:00-20:00, Thu. 12:00-16:00, Fri. 12:00-16:00),
- at the Bilety24 ticket machine in the UMFC entrance hall
- online at Bilety24:
Bilety24
Students and staff of UMFC can obtain a free cinema admission ticket at the Chopin University Press bookstore by presenting a student ID or UMFC admission card.