FAQ

Cloud Atlas is based on the 2004 multi-award winning novel by David Mitchell. It consists of six loosely interconnected stories: an 1850 diary of an ocean voyage across the Pacific; letters from a composer to his friend; a thriller about a murder at a nuclear power plant; a farce about a publisher in a nursing home; a rebellious clone in futuristic Korea; and the tale of a tribe living in post-apocalyptic Hawaii, far in the future. The author himself has indicated that the film will take the loose connections of the novel and expand them into the major theme of the film: "The reincarnation motif in the book is just a hinted-at linking device, but the script gives it centre stage to link the six worlds with characters, causes and effects." The film will also feature all the principal actors playing multiple roles of different ages, sexes and races. "A novel can't do multi-role acting: a film can," says Mitchell. "The directors are playing to the strengths of their medium, just like I try to." The novel was shortlisted for the 2004 Booker Prize, Nebula Award, Arthur C. Clarke Award, among many others.

There are three pieces: (1) "Prelude: The Atlas March" by Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek (from the film's soundtrack); (2) "Sonera" by Thomas Bergersen; and (3) "Outro" by M83.

In chronological order:

"The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing" - Wachowskis

"Letters from Zedelghem" - Tykwer

"Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery" - Tykwer

"The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish" - Tykwer

"An Orison of Sonmi-451" - Wachowskis

"Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After" - Wachowskis