The Falls (1980)

In the shadow of an enigmatic event known as the Violent Unknown Event (V.U.E.), the world has been altered in unimaginable ways. This mysterious phenomenon has bestowed immortality on some while crippling others, and has given rise to bizarre linguistic abilities. Amidst this chaos, an unusual belief system has emerged, placing birds at the heart of this paranormal disruption. 'The Falls', a compelling three-hour cinematic exploration, delves into the lives of ninety-two individuals, all connected by surnames that begin with the letters F A L L. These biographies, presented in the unique mockumentary style reminiscent of 'Water Wrackets' and 'Dear Phone', represent the pinnacle of Greenaway's early oeuvre. The film weaves threads from earlier works like 'A Walk Through H' and 'Vertical Features Remake', and sows seeds for future masterpieces such as 'Drowning by Numbers'. Michael Nyman's unforgettable score intricately binds the narrative together, most notably with the 'Bird List Song', which later morphed into 'Hands 2 Take', a collaboration with the avant-garde British band, the Flying Lizards. 'The Falls' is a labyrinth of ideas and images, a captivating mosaic that leaves viewers pondering the profound implications of the V.U.E. and the enigmatic power of the winged creatures that rule this altered reality.

The Falls is a comedy movie featuring Colin Cantlie.

The Falls is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Metrograph.

It is also possible to buy The Falls on Kino Now.