City Life (1990)
A bold international documentary anthology uniting twelve visionary directors in a kaleidoscopic portrait of urban life across the globe.
City Life - Movie Information
- Original Title: Zycie miejskie
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Eagle Pennell, Dirk Rijneke et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 4h 11m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Bengali, Dutch, English, French, Georgian, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Wolof
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 26, 1990 (Switzerland), February 19, 1990 (Germany)
- Production Countries: Argentina, Netherlands
City Life - Plot
A kaleidoscopic panorama of the world. A visual anthology of twelve short stories by twelve innovative directors from all over the world.
Where to Watch City Life
Looking for where to watch City Life?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
City Life - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Eagle Pennell
- Mrinal Sen
- Ousmane William Mbaye
- Gábor Altorjay
- Alejandro Agresti
- Dirk Rijneke
- Krzysztof Kieślowski
- Clemens Klopfenstein
- José Luis Guerín
- Mildred Van Leeuwaarden
- Béla Tarr
- Carlos Reichenbach
- Vakhtang Kotetishvili
Producers
- Dirk Rijneke
City Life - FAQs
What is City Life (1990) about?
City Life is a documentary anthology that brings together twelve short films from twelve directors across the globe. Each segment offers a distinct, personal vision of urban existence — from bustling metropolises to quieter city corners — forming a rich, kaleidoscopic portrait of the world's cities and their inhabitants.
Who directed City Life (1990)?
City Life was a collaborative effort directed by thirteen filmmakers: Eagle Pennell, Mrinal Sen, Ousmane William Mbaye, Gábor Altorjay, Alejandro Agresti, Dirk Rijneke, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Clemens Klopfenstein, José Luis Guerín, Mildred Van Leeuwaarden, Béla Tarr, Carlos Reichenbach, and Vakhtang Kotetishvili.
When was City Life released?
City Life first screened on January 26, 1990, in Switzerland, followed by a German release on February 19, 1990. The film brought together directors from around the world for what became a landmark international documentary anthology of the early 1990s.
What makes City Life (1990) a landmark anthology?
City Life stands out because it unites thirteen directors from vastly different cinematic traditions — including Krzysztof Kieślowski, Béla Tarr, and Alejandro Agresti — each contributing a short film about urban life. The result is a rare, genuinely global portrait of cities told through radically different artistic voices.
What genre is City Life (1990)?
City Life is a documentary — more precisely, a documentary anthology. It blends observational filmmaking with personal artistic expression, as each of the twelve segments reflects its director's individual style and cultural perspective on city life.
How long is City Life (1990)?
City Life runs for 251 minutes — just over four hours. Given that it comprises twelve distinct short films by as many directors, the runtime reflects the breadth and ambition of this international anthology, offering an immersive journey through urban worlds across multiple continents.
What languages are spoken in City Life (1990)?
City Life is a genuinely multilingual film. You'll hear Bengali, Dutch, English, French, Georgian, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Wolof — a testament to the film's international scope and the diversity of its contributing directors and their home countries.
What are similar films to City Life (1990)?
If City Life appeals to you, explore documentaries like Manufactured Landscapes (2006), Born Into Brothels (2004), The Story of the Weeping Camel (2004), and Citizens of Cosmopolis (2012). For classic anthology documentary work, Olympia Part One and Part Two (1938) by Leni Riefenstahl offer fascinating historical parallels.
More About City Life
Explore further details and databases for City Life (1990).