AEON FLUX COLLECTION (2006)

A big screen review of this stunning, 90's cult favourite that single handily created a genre of animation and a style of movement since mimicked over and over. Uber cool, savagely stylish and with a visual inventiveness that dares the mind to try and take it all in, Aeon Flux's astonishing mix of hard edge comic style drawing, B&D/Sci Fi settings and mind-altering storylines crashed through perceptions of what TV animation could even contemplate - let alone get away with - screening. There was no sense of continuity between episodes. Aeon Flux died in every one of the shorts, sometimes as a result of her own ill-conceived actions. Fetishism, domination and aggressive female sexuality often unashamedly took front stage.
The title character is a tall, willowy assassin, secret agent and part-time model for a foot fetish magazine. As a clandestine soldier for the nation of 'Monica', she must infiltrate the defences of neighbouring 'Bregna'. This brings her into constant and deadly conflict with Bregna's leader, Trevor Goodchild - her sworn enemy and lover. Graphic violence, often crackling with the frightening sexual tension existing between heroine and nemesis, are depicted with a startling gracefulness and a hyper powered choreography that didn't just smoulder and burn on TV screens but also made incredible use of the unique properties of animation.
This big screen collection of classic Aeon Flux shorts & episodes was selected by the creator, Peter Chung, especially for AIAF.