Uchronia

In this docu-essay inspired by Arthur Rimbaud’s “Une Saison en Enfer”, we meet the French poet’s ghost embarking on a time-travel adventure. His delirious visions become portals opening onto alternative timelines – or “uchronias”.
Rimbaud gains the opportunity to meet revolutionary figures such as Emma Goldman, David Wojnarowicz and Marsha P. Johnson. Together, they explore the possibility of social change and reflect on the meaning of revolution in times of disillusionment. Inspired by the rich history of 20th-century experimental queer cinema, the film is a celebration of enfants terribles and dissident freaks across the globe.
Ultimately, the film considers the current political milieu and its parallels with Rimbaud’s own time. Could post-internet ennui and widespread defeatism be understood through the eyes of a late 19th-century decadent poet? Can his critique of national identity and European concepts of barbarism be relevant to today’s far-right EU turn? How do we navigate mainstream queer visibility while transphobia remains rampant?
Dealing with these rhetorical yet pertinent questions, the film is simultaneously an alternative history, a synesthetic poem and a rollercoaster of affect.

Fil Ieropoulos studied film, cultural studies and communication in the UK, completing a PhD in film poetry at the University of Kent in 2010. Since 2003 he has been a Senior Lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, teaching video art, film theory and animation. His first feature, Orfeas2021, premiered at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and was nominated for Greek Film Academy awards. His second feature, Avant-Drag! ,premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and has been selected for over 70 international festivals, earning a Special Jury Mention at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival.

Director Fil Ieropoulos. Screenplay Foivos Dousos. Cinematography Yorgos Koutsaliaris. Editing Fil Ieropoulos. Music Niki & Nefeli Bravaki. Production Design Stella Angelidou, Maria Labrinidi. Costumes Dionisia Ioannou. Make-Up Teo Zografaki. Animation Petros Antoniou. Producers Spyros Patsouras, Fil Ieropoulos. Executive Producers Charlie Kaufman, Jürgen Brüning, Marina Danezi, Eva H.D., Foivos Dousos. Co-Producers Steven Rubinstein Malamud, Sacha Gertsik. Art Director Fil Ieropoulos. Production company FYTA Films (Veria, Greece). With Kristof, Flomaria Papadaki, Marlo Mortimer, Amani Cosmo, Robert Carithers, Eve Libertine, Antoinetta Angelidi.

Films: 2020: Trilogy XYZ. 2021: ORFEAS2021. 2024: Avant-Drag!. 2026: Uchronia.