A Zed & Two Noughts

A Zed & Two Nughts is a 1985 British black comedy film written and directed by Peter Greenaway. The film's narrative revolves around the intertwining lives of twin brothers Oliver Dease (Andréa Ferreol, Colin (Eric Deacon), and Martin (Eric Deacon) in two separate story arcs. The film's story begins in the northern region of Britain where we are introduced to Oliver Dease (Andréa Ferreol), a young woman who lives in a house on a cliff that has a rather unusual structure - a giant, cylindrical space filled with decomposing animal specimens. Oliver's life is turned upside down when she meets and marries Colin's (Eric Deacon) identical twin brother Martin's best friend, Oliver Dease (Andréa Ferreol) then moves to a coastal town in the north. A series of car accidents then sets the stage for the rest of the film. In one accident, Oliver suffers a fatal brain injury and her sister dies in another car accident, which is followed by the tragic loss of a couple whose life stories also become intertwined. Meanwhile, we are introduced to a more affluent, yet equally unsettling world. Colin (Eric Deacon), a twin brother of the deceased Oliver, lives with his wife, Vernon (Frances Barber, in a house filled with expensive art pieces and sculptures, where art becomes a major theme in A Zed & Two Noughts. Following the tragic loss of his wife due to the same car accident that claimed Oliver's life, Colin becomes deeply depressed. As Colin's brother Oliver (Andréa Ferreol) becomes fixated on decomposing animal specimens, Colin develops a fascination for art house films, particularly one by the infamous director, Alfred Hitchcock. In a bizarre turn of events, Colin (Eric Deacon) starts to pursue a series of strange and eccentric relationships that reflect a deep-seated need for companionship and connection. As the story unfolds, Colin's fixation on art, his deceased wife, and his obsession with death become increasingly apparent, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Colin's (Eric Deacon) twin brother Oliver (Andréa Ferreol) moves to England and gets involved with the Dease family. Through a series of surreal and bizarre events, Oliver's fascination with the anatomy and decomposition of animals becomes an integral part of the story. His house on the cliffside filled with decomposing animals, including a dead elephant, is a symbol of the film's overarching themes of life, death, and regeneration. Throughout the narrative, Greenaway masterfully intertwines the stories of both sets of twins, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The film's narrative structure, which jumps between the two story arcs, becomes increasingly disjointed, reflecting the chaos and confusion that pervades both the lives of the twins. As the story reaches its climax, Greenaway's signature visuals and symbolism become increasingly prominent, drawing attention to the cyclical nature of life and death. The film's use of decomposition as a metaphor for transformation and regeneration is a testament to Greenaway's bold and unorthodox style. Ultimately, A Zed & Two Noughts is a complex and thought-provoking film that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Its exploration of themes such as life, death, and regeneration is both intellectually stimulating and visually stunning, cementing its place as a cult classic in the world of cinema.