Multi-hyphenate, multidisciplinary artist Saul Williams brings his unique dynamism to this Afrofuturist vision, a sci-fi punk musical that’s a visually wondrous amalgamation of themes, ideas, and songs that Williams has explored in his work, notably his 2016 album “MartyrLoserKing.” Co-directed with the Rwandan-born artist and cinematographer Anisia Uzeyman, NEPTUNE FROST takes place in the hilltops of Burundi, where a group of escaped coltan miners form an anti-colonialist computer hacker collective.

From their camp in an otherworldly e-waste dump, they attempt a takeover of the authoritarian regime exploiting the region’s natural resources – and its people. When an intersex runaway (Neptune, played by both Elvis Ngabo and Cheryl Isheja) and an escaped coltan miner (Matalusa, played by Kaya Free) find each other through cosmic forces, their connection sparks glitches within the greater divine circuitry. Set between states of being – past and present, dream and waking life, colonized and free, male and female, memory and prescience – NEPTUNE FROST is an invigorating and empowering direct download to the cerebral cortex and a call to reclaim technology for progressive political ends.

“Enchanting and immersive… a war cry that’s simultaneously a galvanizing call to action, a message of hope and a reminder that a different world is possible.” (Los Angeles Times)

“An Afrofuturist fantasia that is also a musical, a science-fiction parable and a hacker manifesto. A treasury of ideas and provocations… that feels both handmade and high-tech, digital and analog, poetic and punk rock.” (The New York Times)

“The future of Black cinema… Utilizes everything the medium of film has to offer — visually, sonically, and emotionally.” (The Hollywood Reporter)

“One of the most extraordinarily original cinema experiences of the year.” (The Wrap)

Tuesday, June 21
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start times subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

Saturday, June 25
Doors 12:30 pm | Movie 1:00 pm *Start times subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

Tuesday, June 27
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm*Start times subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

*Minors permitted. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service. Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*If you are looking to redeem your tickets to either a canceled Rio Theatre screening or a Rio Theatre gift certificate, please email <[email protected]> with info including your name, canceled receipt number, gift certificate info, what you are wanting to see and when, and we can make the switch for you in advance. Alternately, you can bring this information with you to the venue, and we will do our best to help you at the box office.

NEPTUNE FROST (Anisia Uzeyman, Saul Williams, 2022 / 105 mins / PG / Swahili with English subs) In an otherworldly e-waste camp made of recycled computer parts, a subversive hacking collective attempts a takeover of the authoritarian regime exploiting the region’s natural resources–and its people. When an intersex runaway  and an escaped coltan miner find each other through cosmic forces, their connection sparks glitches within the greater divine circuitry. With hypnotic visuals and original songs composed by musician and co-director Saul Williams, this celestial cyber-musical offers a radically bold vision of power, exploitation, and love.