14.01.25, 20:30, The Edge of the World (1937)

On the rugged and windswept cliffs of the Scottish island of Hirta, the local community faces a difficult choice. Daily life there has become unsustainable and the younger generations are tired of fighting the future. Will they leave island life and their old ways behind, or will they resist the tireless forces of nature and the encroaching tide of modernity? Three young people on the island try to relate to these symbolic tensions while dreaming of a better life.

This visually stunning debut feature from grandmaster Michael Powell (best known for his collaboration with Emeric Pressburger) is based on the story of the evacuation of the remote St Kilda Islands on the British coast. At a time when most films were shot in a studio, Powell stands out for a thoroughly documentary approach that gives the harsh but awe-inspiring environment a starring role. Powell's poetic direction blends stark realism with lyrical beauty into a poignant meditation on tradition, survival and the sacrifices made in the name of progress.