Code 46
(Directed by Michael Winterbottom, starring Samantha Morton and Tim Robbins)

Shanghai is a futuristic hybrid of a metropolis. It is surrounded by deserts inhabited by unfortunates and outsiders, desperate to make their way into the thriving city.

While investigating the smuggling of fraudulent 'papelles' (insurance, passport and visa rolled into one) in a Shanghai insurance agency, Tim Robbins' investigator finds that he is strangely attracted to the prime suspect (Samantha Morton).

He lies and indicts her co-worker and they have a brief fling. But what neither of them realize is that they have transgressed what is known as a 'Code 46', which sends their lives into turmoil.

familiar and foreign

Somewhere between sci fi, film noir, and a love letter to Samantha Morton (excellent again), Code 46 is a post-modern, melancholy tale of love and survival.

After helming the BAFTA-winning refugee drama In This World, Winterbottom encapsulates here an image of the near future both familiar and foreign, tempting, modern, spectacular - and alienating.

Intelligent and original stuff from probably Britain's most consistently interesting contemporary filmmaker.

Find Code 46 with our Film Finder: click here.

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