quietearth [Celluloid 08.14.12] scifi



It's awesome to hear Gilliam is headed back into science fiction territory, especially after his last few mediocre offerings. I know we're all hoping for something as profound as his dystopic cult-fave Brazil, and from the sound of the storyline - "a man living in an Orwellian state tries to provide, or disprove, the purpose of existence" - it just might be.

We reported on the film back in 2009 and the story line has since changed radically. Here's the new one via Deadline.


Living in an Orwellian corporate world where "mancams" serve as the eyes of a shadowy figure known only as Management, Leth (Waltz) works on a solution to the strange theorem while living as a virtual cloistered monk in his home—the shattered interior of a fire-damaged chapel. His isolation and work are interrupted now and then by surprise visits from Bainsley, a flamboyantly lusty love interest who tempts him with “tantric biotelemetric interfacing” (virtual sex) and Bob. Latter is the rebellious whiz-kid teenage son of Management who, with a combination of insult-comedy and an evolving true friendship, spurs on Qohen’s efforts at solving the theorem. But these visits turn out to be intentional diversions orchestrated by Management to keep control of Qohen’s progress. Bob creates a virtual reality “inner-space” suit that will carry Qohen on an inward voyage, a close encounter with the hidden dimensions and truth of his own soul, wherein lie the answers both he and Management are seeking. The suit and supporting computer technology will perform an inventory of Qohen’s soul, either proving or disproving the Zero Theorem.

The Zero Theorem is set to star Christoph Waltz and is currently in pre-production. Shooting begins October 22nd.

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