Inhabited Island 2: Rebellion

This adaptation of the classic Soviet science fiction novel Prisoners of Power is one of the most expensive Russian productions in recent years. The year is 2157. Maxim, a naive and carefree young spaceship pilot crashes on an unknown planet. The mysterious world is governed by the Unknown Fathers who control their subjects by broadcasting radiation that controls the minds of most subjects, but causes unbearable pain to some, including the so-called degenerates whom Maxim befriends. Maxim undertakes to fight against totalitarian control and liberate its victims, but daunting and unexpected challenges will test his resolve.

The scope of Bondarchuk’s vision is dazzling – fantastic cities, wild locations, deserts, seas, sprawling battles and imaginative paraphernalia. Blending futuristic and archaic themes, the film’s artistic design plays on the contrast between the world of the oppressed subjects and that of the ostentatious rulers. While THX 1138 attempted to escape his underground prison at all costs, Maxim works openly to overturn the system and liberate society. Lucas made his short film in 1967, the same year that the Strugatsky brothers published their novel… Massaraksz!