Watch Liquid Sky

Liquid Sky is a 1982 independent science fiction film directed by Slava Tsukerman, co-written by Tsukerman, his wife Nina Vladi, and Anne Carlisle, who also stars in the film. It is a low-budget movie with a unique blend of genres including sci-fi, New Wave fashion, and punk rock culture. The film explores themes of drug addiction, gender identity, and sexual repression.

Anne Carlisle plays a dual role as Margaret and Jimmy, two characters with markedly different personalities. Margaret is an androgynous fashion model living in a New York apartment with her drug-addicted girlfriend Adrian (Paula E. Sheppard). Jimmy, the male persona of Margaret, is a brash and abrasive drug dealer who is constantly on the prowl for new customers.

The film is set in Manhattan's underground club scene during the early 1980s, and it features many of the iconic locations that defined the era, such as the Mudd Club and the Empire State Building. One of the key elements of Liquid Sky is its representation of New Wave and punk rock fashions, which were popular in the early 1980s. The characters in the film are dressed in bold colors and striking patterns, and their makeup and hairstyles are equally as unconventional.

The storyline of Liquid Sky is centered around the arrival of extraterrestrial beings who have come to the planet to harvest human endorphins as a source of sustenance. The aliens, who are dubbed "invisible" due to their ability to remain undetected by human vision, accidentally land on the roof of Margaret's apartment building. Margaret is unwittingly used as a conduit for the aliens, who become addicted to the endorphins that are released when she has sex or kills someone.

As the film progresses, the characters' drug use and sexual experimentation become increasingly extreme. Margaret's obsession with alien sex and her quest for self-discovery blur the lines between her male and female identities. Her girlfriend Adrian also succumbs to the allure of the alien substance, becoming increasingly erratic and violent.

Liquid Sky is not an easy film to classify. While it has elements of science fiction, it is not a traditional sci-fi movie. Rather, it is a film that defies categorization, blending together different genres and ideas into a unique cinematic experience. It is both a product of its time and ahead of its time, exploring issues that were taboo at the time of its release such as sexual repression, gender identity, and drug addiction.

The soundtrack of Liquid Sky is another defining feature of the film. It features an eclectic mix of New Wave and punk rock music, with artists such as Roxy Music, The Cars, and Gary Numan contributing songs. The music perfectly captures the mood and energy of the time, adding to the film's overall atmosphere.

In conclusion, Liquid Sky is a groundbreaking film that defies classification. It is a unique blend of sci-fi, New Wave fashion, and punk rock culture that explores issues that were taboo at the time of its release. The film's striking visuals, experimental soundtrack, and provocative themes make it a must-see for fans of cult cinema.