Polish Cultural Institute New York and MUBI present a selection of Stanisław Lem centennial movies that have been showing at other places as well. This series spotlights mostly sci-fi movies based on Lem’s work with the haunting WWII drama Hospital of the Transfiguration added to the mix later.

The series can be viewed on the world-wide movie platform MUBI, with a 30 days free trial period. The centennial movies from the list below can be watched for a long period of time, according to the info I have received from the Polish Cultural Institute. Some movies are available in Canada, and all are available in the USA.

• 9/12/21 – 7/31/22 The Congress (2013, 122′), dir. Ari Folman, based on the novel The Futorological Congress / Kongress futurologiczny, 
• 9/13/21 – 8/31/22 His Master’s Voice (2018, 95′), dir. György Pálfi, based on the novel of the same title, available in the USA
• 9/14/21 – 8/31/22 Roly Poly / Przekładaniec (1968, 35′), dir. Adrzej Wajda, based on Lem’s script, also available in Canada
• 9/17/21 – 9/16/22  Maska (2010, 23′), dir. Stephen Quay and Timothy Quay, based on a short horror story, also available in Canada

The following movies will be streamed later, no availability dates yet

• in November  Hospital of the Transfiguration / Szpital przemieninia (1979, 90′), dir. Edward Żebrowski, based the novel of the same title
• in November  Pilot Pirx’s Test / Test Pilota Pirxa (1978, 95′), dir. Marek Piestrak, based on the short story The Inquest from the Tales of Pirx the Pilot / Opowieści o pilocie Pirxie series

Perhaps best known worldwide as the author of the 1961 novel, “Solaris,” Stanisław Lem produced dozens upon dozens of novels, stories and essays throughout his nearly 60-year career. Renowned particularly for his work in the realm of science fiction, Lem’s artistic output covers a plethora of genres, encompassing memoirs, accounts of his wartime experiences and philosophical texts. His science fiction narratives themselves often take unexpected and experimental forms, extending freely into the territories of philosophy and satire to create worlds that to contemporary eyes eerily prefigure everything from Google to virtual reality and smartphones.

More: PCI NY webpage describing the movies, MUBI page for PCI NY movies