Sexmissão

It's showing at the Everyman soon

Sexmission, Juliusz Machulski's sexy second feature, is a cult Polish comedy, whose dialogues and lines have entered into every day language. Two men kept in hibernation for 50 years learn that they are the only living specimens of the male sex in a new, underground society run by the League of Women's Lib. The female archeologist who digs them up hypothesises she has found the missing link between women and apes.The heroes facing harsh treatment from their female guards will do anything to save their skin and to re-establish the male population.This highly original sci-fi story with a twist and great performances by Poland's top actors is one of the most popular Polish movies of all times.

I saw this movie a few years ago on t.v with English subtitles.A wonderfully original script and a brilliant cast.Touches beautifully on the identity crises faced by the modern male in a post-feminist society and pays tribute to other cinematic classics like the Wizard of Oz and La cage aux folles (and possibly a little Benny Hill).

I was so much into french comedies as a good chauvinistic stupid guy but when I saw "Seksmisja" I knew there's something's happen somewhere else. Now I'm completely into polish movies. This one is fantastic, I love it. I laughed every 2 minutes. Characters are so funny. Little things like when at the beginning somebody said to the hero who was looking so proud and strong "it can be dangerous" when he was thinking there is no danger traveling in the future :-) and he was like "oh my God !! it can be dangerous???" and suddenly he was afraid, I laughed my ass out !!! And when beautiful girls are coming to them in their jail and they are talking to them like real macho men "Dzzzzien Doooobrrreeee" :-)) Now I know we have to learn a lot from polish movies. I also saw "Rejs" and "Wniebowzieci" who was for me pure moments of pleasure. Wow ! I love Poland !! Will go to see that great country one day.

"Sexmission" has everything that a good movie needs - a plot, memorable characters, well written dialog and a bigger concept underlying the story. In fact there are two concept that meet at several points: the gender stereotypes seen from different perspectives and the totalitarian dystopia.

If I had to advertise the movie to non-Polish viewers (especially the English-speaking ones) perhaps I would give it a tag line "Orwell meets Benny Hill".

The beginning of the plot is well known - two hibernated men, Max and Albert, wake up after a great war in the hands of all-female totalitarian state. The women are brainwashed (a strong mockery of radical feminism) so they perceive males as a threat to the society. Our heroes realize that the ways they have dealt with women before - cheap compliments (Max) and appearing vulnerable (Albert) - will just not work here. The two men have to rely on their better features: wit, courage, honest male friendship and strong faith in humanity in their pursuit for freedom and restoring the laws of nature.

The political satire is very well constructed, since the women's society as presented in the movie has all the features of the totalitarian regime. The loyalty to the League (equivalent of the Party) is superior to all interpersonal relationships and what is the most significant, the League's propaganda purposely misrepresents reality as well as history.

The gender stereotypes are explored with rather positive attitude, showing that there's no use of denying our own nature and that the differences between the genders, even with their weaknesses, is what we are attracted to.

The outcome of these ideas is that you definitely become a better man and a better woman when you are allowed the freedom of thought.

I believe you don't have to "know Poland" to understand the movie, but in fact any experience with political (science) fiction is enough. Enjoy!

I must admit that I haven't seen many movies made in Poland (shame, but not many are played here...), but this one is a real gem, which achieved cult status in this region.

The story is about two men who are hibernated for 3 years for showing "the victory of mankind over time", but wake up 53 years later in society ruled by women. Men are extinct, all living men were killed by a bomb and the surviving women have to leave under the Earth's surface in complexes. One of the women says: "Encounter with men are areal". Our heroes don't panic however... they have only one goal: re-establishing somehow the old regime. Not an easy task, considering they are the only men alive, surrounded by man-hating ("man-eating"), fanatic women whose goal is either to naturalize or to kill them.

One can't forget that this movie was made in 1984 when communism was in its place and didn't seem to melt yet. Nowadays I wonder a bit that it was allowed to show in the cinemas, because this movie is a perfect satire of any totaliarist regime (including communism) and blind fanaticism. There is very subtle humor between the lines and this humor is what makes this movie a cult movie. However serious the theme, the movie catches the mood and the movements so easily and with such wit that you can't help but laugh. Making fun of something is the best way to criticize it and Seksmisja is a perfect example.

This movie is highly recommended for anyone in the world. Seeing it only once isn't enough... to get the whole idea and the subtler humor, you have to watch it several times. If you want to enjoy it fully, get the original Polish version with subtitles.

"Someone hurts you? You're in trouble? You can count on Women's Council!"