The Operation

In a cold tile operating room, a surgeon clad in a protective Tyvek suit, goggles and tight rubber gloves demonstrate her skill before a group of observers. They scrutinize the eerie coupling between the surgeon and patient, whose bodies merge like molten lava. Thermal coitus draws the viewer into an erotic experience that probes beneath the boundary of skin. The Operation is an award-winning cult film by Jacob Pander and Marne Lucas, shot in 48 hours on a minuscule budget, using thermal imaging technology. Their exploration of erotic imagery first-hand stems from an interest in intimacy and the viewer's psychological and sexual response. It represents a merging of their fascination with the macabre beauty of the human body as viewed by science and technology; using new infrared imaging devices, the boundaries between physical and intellectual stimulation become blurred.

Directed by Jacob Pander, Marne Lucas, The Operation leans on a strong ensemble — Marne Lucas, Otto Wrek, Gina Velour — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about science fiction titles of 1995.