Lux Æterna (stylised as LVX ÆTERNA) is a 2019 French independent experimental meta-art film written, produced, and directed by Gaspar Noé. The film heavily utilises epileptic imagery through grey and coloured strobes, split-screen techniques, and 1920s-style documentary footage related to witchcraft and torture. It was screened out of competition at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and received mixed to positive reviews from critics. The film also attracted attention for its over 10-minute scene featuring strobe lights, prompting paramedics to be on standby outside the venue in case any audience members became unwell during the screening.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2019 and was scheduled to screen at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2020, which was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released in France on 23 September 2020 by UFO Distribution and Potemkine Films, with Yellow Veil Pictures acquiring the US rights for its release in the United States and Canada in May 2022.
In Dr. Who
It was described as the eleven-dimensional quantum foam that underpins the very fabric of reality.
With sufficiently advanced technology, such as the Master's TARDIS, one could harness the power of this quantum foam, gaining near-omnipotent abilities, as demonstrated by the emergence of the entity known as the Quantum Archangel. Furthermore, Lux Æterna served as a vital food source for the Chronovores. (PROSE: The Quantum Archangel)
History and Film
Lux Æterna, meaning "eternal light" in Latin, has captivated audiences across various mediums, including film and television. Most notably, it features prominently in the Doctor Who universe, where its haunting melodies enhance the emotional depth of key scenes.
The piece was composed by the renowned Hungarian composer György Ligeti, whose work has been influential in contemporary classical music. Ligeti's Lux Æterna is often associated with the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, where it underscores the film's otherworldly themes. For those wondering how to pronounce Lux Æterna, it is articulated as "luks ah-eh-TER-nah." The term has also been used in various films, including Requiem for a Dream, where it evokes a sense of longing and transcendence.
Ligeti's Lux Æterna was composed in 1966, and its impact continues to resonate today. Whether in Doctor Who or other cinematic experiences, Lux Æterna remains a powerful symbol of light and hope amidst darkness.
