Invigorating essay film-making in which an enigmatic scholar makes a series of journeys through the South of England.
Robinson in Ruins marks the eagerly awaited return to feature filmmaking by Patrick Keiller, imaginative social commentator and Britain's foremost cinematic essayist. The film reconnects with the enigmatic scholar Robinson (London, Robinson in Space), newly released from open prison and embarking on a journey through the South of England, where he is 'shipwrecked'. Believing he can communicate with a network of non-human intelligence, and wanting to investigate the possibility of 'life's survival on the planet', he travels to sites of scientific and historical interest, exploring the development of capitalism since the 16th century, and moments and movements of resistance. The film is presented as a series of 'picturesque views', drawing on Robinson's everyday surroundings, from the drably urban to the seductively pastoral. As in previous films, these are contextualised by a witty, erudite narration, here spoken by Vanessa Redgrave. Art, literature, philosophy and economics are woven through, and an invigorating flow of themes from financial crisis to climate change and mass extinction wend their way to an optimistic conclusion.
Sandra Hebron
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