Friendship's Death

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Sullivan (Bill Paterson) is a fatigued war correspondent, holed up in a dark, sweaty flat in Amman, Jordan in the civil war of 1970, with nothing but his clattering typewriter for company. Into Sullivan’s world falls Friendship, (Tilda Swinton) a willowy, mysterious and softly spoken young woman, who introduces herself as an android visitor to this planet. Intended for a mission of peace and destined for the United States, we’re left to assume that her race think that her help was more urgently needed in the sorely oppressed Middle East.

Those of you tired of having your senses bombarded with thunderous explosions and being disorientated by swooping camera movements and crazy angles will take much comfort from the quiet unfolding of Sullivan and Friendship’s relationship, as they discuss what it is to be human, and why.

Bright sunshine outside peeks through the shutters, and the light from the analog television set glows weakly, showing images of the conflagration outside and beyond. Their philosophical discussion is interrupted by occasional hurried visits from unknown agents, and Friendship’s dislike of Sullivan’s aggressive use of the typewriter, seeing the machine as a near-relation of hers, somehow introduce notes of comedy into the proceedings.

In spite of the film’s stagey atmosphere, it’s hard not to be drawn in by these two ill-matched characters; the sheer other-worldliness of Friendship, a serene and hopeful presence sharing a cave-like room with her polar opposite, the hard-bitten and weary Sullivan. It’s equally hard not to be drawn into a comparison with another film about a tall, slim, androgynous alien visitor.

‘Friendship’s Death’ DVD and Blu Ray come with comes with a stars and makers discussion, an appreciation of director Peter Wollen’s work, and much more.