Watch Sexmission
- 1984
- 1 hr 57 min
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7.5 (14,689)
Sexmission is a satirical science-fiction film from Poland that was released in 1984. The movie stars Wieslaw Michnikowski and Jerzy Stuhr as two friends, Max and Albert, who undergo a hibernation experiment intended to last three years. However, things don't quite go according to plan, and the two friends wake up in a seemingly utopian society six hundred years in the future, where all men have been eradicated by a nuclear war, and only women now exist.
The premise of the movie is that an experiment in cryogenics goes awry, and Max and Albert wake up in a world where there are no men. They soon discover that the world is run by women, who live in an underground city and reproduce asexually. The women have created a perfect society free of the "violence and aggression" that they believed men brought. But as Max and Albert discover the new world, they find that things are not as they seem.
Throughout the movie, the two men must navigate this new world and try to find a way back to their former reality. Along the way, they encounter a variety of interesting characters, including a rebellious young woman named La, played by Olgierd Lukaszewicz. La is skeptical of the all-female society and is determined to find a way out. The three of them end up forming an unlikely alliance as they try to uncover the secrets of this new world.
One of the defining aspects of the movie is its use of satire. The filmmakers use the conceit of a world without men to poke fun at gender roles and social norms. The all-female society is presented as orderly and emotionless, while the two men bring chaos and irrationality. However, as the movie progresses, it becomes clear that neither society is perfect, and there are problems in both worlds.
The film also explores the theme of control. The all-female society is revealed to be more of a dictatorship than a utopia, with its leaders controlling every aspect of life. It becomes clear that the loss of men has not eradicated violence, but instead shifted it underground, with rebel factions fighting against the ruling class. The two men must avoid being caught up in this conflict if they are to escape back to their own time.
Despite the film's serious themes, it's also a comedy. There are many humorous moments throughout the movie, particularly as Max and Albert try to adjust to this new world. They are initially bewildered and confused by the changes they see, but gradually begin to fit in. Their attempts to work out how women reproduce are particularly amusing, as they try various theories before finally realizing the truth.
Overall, Sexmission is a witty and intelligent movie that combines science fiction, satire, and comedy in a unique way. The all-female society is both fascinating and unsettling, and the movie does an excellent job of exploring the consequences of such a world. It's a reminder that gender roles and stereotypes are not fixed, but constantly changing and evolving. The film is still widely regarded as a classic in Polish cinema, and is worth watching for anyone interested in science fiction or social commentary.