This week, we’re launching the latest edition of Klassiki Picks, our series of watchlists curated by our friends in the world of cinema and eastern Europe. In this hot seat this time around is prolific British artist and filmmaker Ben Rivers, whose latest feature, the post-apocalyptic tale Mare’s Nest, premieres in competition at the Locarno Film Festival this week. With that in mind, Ben has picked a fascinating quartet of titles for Klassiki: four films that explore the end of the world, whether literal or metaphorical, featuring sci-fi weirdness, nuclear paranoia, and the threat of social collapse.

Host Sam Goff sat down with Ben to discuss the appeal of this End Times cinema, the unique nature of eastern European sci-fi, children on film, and the enduring influence of Aleksandr Sokurov on his work. 

Make sure to explore Ben’s Klassiki Picks, available to subscribers from 7 August. 

Sign up for a free 7-day trial at klassiki.online.