The backlight system including, an anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film with the optical parameters matched to the spectral characteristics of a light source, and a liquid crystal display incorporating the backlight system are disclosed. The backlight system comprises at least one light source having an emission spectrum with at least one peak in the wavelength range between 250 and 450 nanometers, and an anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film (AF TCF) placed on at least one element of the backlight system so that it is on a light path of the light emitted by the light source. The anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film is formed by rodlike supramolecules composed of disc-shaped molecules of at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated .pi.-system, emitting polarized visible light when irradiated by light from said wavelength range.