Friday, 20 November 2026 at 9 pm
Waking Life
Directed by: Richard Linklater
USA, 2001, Colour, 99'
An unnamed young man leads an ethereal life with no clear transitions between everyday events, which over time develops into an existential crisis. Initially a silent observer, he later actively participates in philosophical discussions with other characters – from eccentric scholars and artists to ordinary restaurant patrons and friends – on topics such as metaphysics, free will, social philosophy and the meaning of life. Some scenes do not feature the protagonist, but instead focus on an individual, a group of people, or a couple discussing these topics from a kind of disembodied perspective. The film touches upon existentialism, situationist politics, posthumanism, the film theory of André Bazin, and lucid dreaming, and directly mentions various intellectuals and literary figures…
One of America's most prominent independent filmmakers, Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Suburbia, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, Boyhood, Hit Man, Nouvelle Vague) realised one of his most unusual works in 2001, Waking Life. The film was shot on a miniDV camera and digitally edited, and features rotoscoped animation; it is, in fact, the sort of work one would much sooner expect from a major name in European cinema than from its American counterpart. It is, in effect, a kind of philosophical, non-narrative essay that was largely acclaimed by the critics.
Many critics have written about Waking Life as a masterpiece, highlighting its innovative rotoscoped animation and dreamlike atmosphere. The film's artistic vision and existential themes were widely acclaimed, but opinions on its philosophical content were divided: while some found the ideas presented profound, others regarded them as pretentious. The film premiered in the main competition programme at the Venice Film Festival, where it won some minor awards, and was nominated for the top American independent film award, the “Independent Spirit Oscar”, in the categories of Best Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay. It was also ranked sixth on the Village Voice's best films of the year list.
Commentary by: Damir Radić
Tickets for the screening on 20 November 2026 at 9 pm can be purchased online HERE, as well as at the Surogatkino KIC box office before the start.