A violent unknown event (VUE) has stricken the world, leaving behind some 19 million suvivors. The most common legacies of the holocaust are immortality and "potagium fallitis," a disease causing hypertrophy of the muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back, seemingly preparing for the evolution of humans into flying creatures. Greenaway briefly catalogues 92 case histories, mixing fairy tale, documentary, live action, interview and reportage into an absurdist comedy of the highest order. Music—including an opera based on bird nomenclature—by Michael Nyman. Inspiration by Nabokov, Calvino, Audubon, Borges, and Agassiz. 16mm
1980, color, 3 hours 5 minutes, UK