Cold Open · Essay · jan 8, 2026

Why Children of Men Is the Most Realistic Dystopian Film

In a special episode responding to audience suggestions from LAB111's Lab Suggestions programme, Laura Gommans and Hugo Emmerzaal discuss the chilling specificity of Children of Men — a film that imagines social collapse not through spectacle but through exhaustion and bureaucratic drift. The episode also stages a pointed debate about whether Christopher Nolan's Inception is an original work or an acknowledged debt to Satoshi Kon's Paprika. Along the way: conversations with Colin Farrell and Alfonso Cuarón, and why some films age into prophecy.

Film Journalist · Celebrating Cinema

This week, Laura and Hugo dive into films chosen by you. Drawing from our LAB Suggestions programme, where audiences select their favourite films to be shown on the big screen in Amsterdam, they share their standout picks. From the chilling plausibility of Children of Men to a friendly (but pointed) debate over whether Christopher Nolan’s Inception owes more than a little to Satoshi Kon’s Paprika.

Along the way, they share tidbits from conversations with Colin Farrell and Alfonso Cuarón, plus a voice note from one of our listeners whose pick, The NeverEnding Story, is heading to the big screen.

Get tickets to ⁠LAB Suggestions⁠ @ LAB111

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Get tickets to ⁠Fight The Power: Goodbye Julia⁠ @ LAB111

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