Orwell: 2+2=5

1949. George Orwell completes what would become his last, but most important novel: 1984.

The fascinating documentary “Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5” dives into Orwell's final months and into his visionary work that took shape during this intense period. The film analyzes the origins of concepts that still give us the chills today: doublethink, thoughtcrime, Newspeak – and the ubiquitous shadow of Big Brother.

Through diary fragments and letters, the film allows Orwell himself (voiced by actor Damian Lewis) to reflect on his life: his personal memories are illustrated with clips from adaptations of Animal Farm and 1984. But also with footage from World War II to the present day, the era of deepfakes and new totalitarianism. From Trump's lies to Putin's 'special military operation' and other contemporary Newspeak. Political spin, alternative facts, and carefully formulated language more than ever determine our reality. Orwell did not just write a novel. He gave us a warning, and this film shows how loudly that warning still resonates today.

Democracy Now? – in collaboration with Rijksmuseum Twenthe
This screening is a collaboration with Rijksmuseum Twenthe around the exhibition Democracy Now? which can be seen in the museum until February 14, 2027. Click here for more films in the series. All films in the series will be introduced or discussed afterwards.