The Falling

In a bizarre and surreal English boarding school in the late 19th century, young girls begin to experience inexplicable fainting spells. As the mysterious malady spreads, the school becomes a site of bizarre rituals and unsettling investigations. The film explores themes of societal control, sexuality, and the uncanny through a darkly poetic and visually striking lens.

Peter Greenaway's 'The Falling' is a critically acclaimed art-house film known for its distinctive visual style and thematic density. It garnered attention for its unique and often disturbing portrayal of adolescence and societal repression, though its challenging nature meant it was more appreciated by cinephiles than mainstream audiences.

• Praised for its stunning, painterly cinematography and distinctive, unsettling atmosphere.
• Noted for its enigmatic narrative and exploration of complex, often taboo themes.
• Divisive due to its slow pacing and abstract storytelling, appealing primarily to arthouse enthusiasts.

Google audience: Viewers often praise the film's unique visual artistry and thought-provoking, albeit disturbing, subject matter. Some find the narrative too abstract and slow, while others appreciate its deliberate pacing and intellectual depth.

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival.

The film's distinctive visual style was heavily influenced by the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the opulent interiors of Victorian-era country houses.