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Robinson in Space (Original title)Robinson in Exile (Alternative title)
Dates: 1997 (Copyright), 10 January 1997 (Release)

Country: United Kingdom

A film by: Patrick Keiller

Production company billing: ©1997. BBC BBC Films presents in association with The British Film Institute a Koninck production a film by Patrick Keiller [end] a Koninck production for BBC Films in association with The British Film Institute
Synopsis: A man and his gay friend Robinson, are recruited as spies. They set out on seven trips around England - to the west and east of London; Oxford and Bristol; the West Midlands; Birmingham and Liverpool; Manchester and Hull; Scarborough and Whitby; and Blackpool and Sellafield.Synopsis: The explorations of a fictional character, narrated by his travelling companion and researcher. The unseen "hero" has been commissioned by an international advertising agency to undertake a study of "the problem of England". The problem is never stated, but there are images of Eton, Oxford, Cambridge, some ports and factories and a few references to sex. After a train journey from London, and time spent exploring Reading and its environs, the pair set out on a series of journeys, looking at English anachronism, English culture and its absences, English dilapidation, the industrial economy. Other places visited include Bristol, the West Midlands, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Scarborough, Whitby, Blackpool and Sellafield. A sequel to the filmmaker's experimental portrait of `London' [see BNFVG, Vol. 1].

Genres:
Artists' Moving Image, Travelogue

Subjects:
England, Inner-city development, 1990s

Series title:

TV Transmissions
Date: 25 January 1998Broadcast channel: BBC2Country: United KingdomTransmission time: 23:30-00:55Slot duration: 85 minsNetwork

Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (11)
In: Sight and Sound v15 n8 August 2005  Page: 89
Title: London/Robinson in SpaceAuthor: WILSON, Vicky Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Premiere n318 August 2003  Page: 30
Title: Cahier critiqueAuthor: [C.N.] Article type: CreditsLanguage: French

In: Journal of Popular British Cinema n5 2002  Pages: 123-132
Title: Patrick KeillerAuthor: MARTIN-JONES, David Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Patrick Keiller who discusses his early experiments with filmmaking from shorts in the 1980s to securing bfi funding for LONDON. He also refers to ROBINSON IN SPACE and The DILAPIDATED DWELLING.

In: Film Review vSpec nNo.22 Yearbook 1997/98  Page: 80
Title: Film reviewsAuthor: CORRY, Neil Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Variety 20 Jan 1997  Page: 47
Title: ReviewsAuthor: ELLEY, Derek Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Sight and Sound v7 n1 January 1997  Page: 44
Title: reviewsAuthor: Smith, Paul JulianArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Empire n92 February 1997  Page: 40
Title: new filmsAuthor: REES, Caroline Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Dox: Documentary Film Quarterly n11 Summer 1997  Page: 53
Title: Voyage to the End of EnglandAuthor: GASS, Lars Henrik Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Sight and Sound v7 n7 July 1997  Page: 59
Title: Video choiceAuthor: TUNNEY, Tom Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of video release.

In: Screen International n1084 15 Nov 1996  Page: 24
Title: ReviewsAuthor: DUNCAN, Celia Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Screen International n1019 4 Aug 1995  Page: 25
Title: European productionArticle type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: English


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (2)
Title: This enchanted isle: the neo-romantic vision from William Blake to the New Visionaries
Author: WOODCOCK, Peter  Pages: 151 p.

Title: Robinson in space
Author: KEILLER, Patrick  Pages: 235p.
Description: Includes the text of the film' s spoken narrative with annotations and over 200 colour images from the film. Also an interview with Patrick Keiller by Patrick Wright.