Johnny Got His Gun

An important anti-war film about an American soldier, Joe, who "luckily" steps on a mine on the last day of World War I. As a result, he loses sight, hearing, and the ability to move. Joe lies in a hospital, trapped in his body, with only his thoughts left. He finds himself in a world of his own thoughts, fantasies, and strange visions, completely cut off from the outside world. For the treating doctors, he is just a curious specimen of a surviving vegetable, and they don't even believe in his ability to feel pain.

This film, filled with horrifying dreamlike images, was supposed to be made by the leading surrealist of the 20th century, Luis Buñuel. However, it was never completed. Eventually, using some findings from his predecessor, it was directed by the author of the eponymous 1939 book, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. "Johnny Got His Gun" became his first and last directorial work.

François Truffaut said in an interview with "Cahiers du Cinéma" in 1980: "For ten years now, in every interview I have talked about the film 'Johnny Got His Gun,' which amazes and seduces me... Of course, he is a lost man, but what amazes me is this desire for communication at any cost. I would like to make such a film myself because, after all, it is about the most important thing. There are very few films that tell about the human body, few films that speak about how important it is to be healthy and how precious life is."

The film received two Golden Palm branches at Cannes, including the Grand Prix of the Jury.

The session will be led by philosopher and film scholar (and co-founder of a cinema) Varya Vlasova.