Light Years Away (French: Les Années lumière) is a 1981 film directed by Alain Tanner. It tells the story of a young man who meets an old man who says he was taught by birds how to fly and is building a flying machine. It is based on a novel by Daniel Odier.
Although filmed in English and shot in Ireland, it was made by a Swiss director and produced by companies from France and Switzerland. The film won the Grand Prix at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival.
Cast
Trevor Howard as Yoshka Poliakeff
Mick Ford as Jonas
Bernice Stegers as Betty
Henri Virlojeux as Lawyer
Gerard Mannix Flynn as Drunken Boy (as Mannix Flynn)
Don Foley as Cafe Owner
Gabrielle Keenan as Girl At Village Dance
John Murphy as Man In Bar
Jerry O'Brien as Bar Owner
Joe Pilkington as Thomas
Louis Samier as Trucker
Odile Schmitt as Dancer
Vincent Smith as Cop