Ikarie XB-1

Adapted from Stanisław Lem’s 1955 novel, The Magellanic Cloud, Polák’s landmark ’Scope feature is a clear influence on Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Liška’s extraordinarily innovative score employs manipulated tape loops of orchestral instruments and found sounds to produce a sense of foreboding and evoke the enervating psychological ambience aboard a spaceship peopled by an international crew seeking signs of life in Alpha Centauri.

Preceded by The Snowman Hermína Týrlová 1966 9 mins – Unclassified 15+. Often called “the mother of Czech animation”, Týrlová’s delightful stop-motion wool animation is soundtracked by a striking electroacoustic Liška score.

Both films courtesy of the National Film Archive in Prague.